US President Holds Talks with Putin and Zelenskyy, Announces Negotiations to End Conflict
Washington, DC [US], February 13:
In a major diplomatic move, US President Donald Trump held back-to-back phone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to negotiating a peace deal to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the discussions, describing the Trump-Zelenskyy call as “very positive.” She emphasized that the US government is fully committed to achieving a resolution and announced a key meeting in Munich on Friday, where US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead peace negotiations.
“The President just spoke to President Putin of Russia. They spoke at length, and the President released a statement following that conversation in great detail,” Leavitt told reporters.
“I can also confirm that the President also just got off the phone with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine. His truth is as follows: ‘I just spoke to President Zelenskyy of Ukraine, and the conversation went very well. He, like President Putin, wants to make peace. We discussed a variety of topics, but mostly the meeting that is being set up on Friday in Munich, where Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead the delegation.'”
She added that Trump personally told her that both calls were “very good and very positive.”
Zelenskyy Welcomes Trump’s Initiative for Peace
Following his call with Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his appreciation for Trump’s engagement in the peace process.
“I had a long and detailed conversation with President Trump. I appreciate his genuine interest in our shared opportunities and how we can bring about real peace together,” Zelenskyy wrote.
“We discussed many aspects—diplomatic, military, and economic—and President Trump informed me about what Putin told him. We believe that America’s strength, together with Ukraine and all our partners, is enough to push Russia to peace.”
Trump-Putin Call: A Step Toward Diplomacy
Before speaking with Zelenskyy, Trump had a “lengthy and productive” call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where both leaders agreed to initiate peace negotiations immediately.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump described the call as a critical moment for global stability:
“I just had a lengthy and highly productive phone call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia. We discussed Ukraine, the Middle East, Energy, Artificial Intelligence, the power of the Dollar, and various other subjects. We both reflected on the Great History of our Nations, and the fact that we fought so successfully together in World War II, remembering that Russia lost tens of millions of people, and we, likewise, lost so many!”
“But first, as we both agreed, we want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the war with Russia/Ukraine. President Putin even used my very strong campaign motto of ‘COMMON SENSE.’ We both believe very strongly in it.”
Negotiations to Begin Immediately
Trump also announced that both the US and Russia will begin negotiations immediately, starting with Friday’s Munich meeting. He has appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, and Ambassador and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to lead the US delegation.
“We agreed to work together very closely, including visiting each other’s nations. We have also agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately, and we will begin by calling President Zelenskyy of Ukraine to inform him of the conversation. Millions of people have died in a war that would not have happened if I were President, but it did happen, so it must end. No more lives should be lost!”
Putin Agrees to Peace Talks, Releases US Citizen Marc Fogel
During the call, Trump also thanked Putin for securing the release of American citizen Marc Fogel, a teacher who had been detained in Russia.
“I want to thank President Putin for his time and effort with respect to this call, and for the release, yesterday, of Marc Fogel, a wonderful man that I personally greeted last night at the White House. I believe this effort will lead to a successful conclusion, hopefully soon,” Trump posted.
Munich Meeting: A Pivotal Moment for Peace?
The upcoming peace talks in Munich could mark a significant turning point in the two-year-long Russia-Ukraine conflict. With both Putin and Zelenskyy signaling openness to a resolution, Trump’s latest diplomatic initiative is being closely watched by global leaders.
As tensions remain high, the world now waits to see whether these negotiations will bring an end to the devastating war that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions.