Washington, DC [US], March 20 : In a significant phone conversation between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the two leaders agreed on continued collaboration to work towards bringing a real end to the war in Ukraine, with the prospect of lasting peace under Trump’s leadership.
Highlights from the Conversation
- Zelenskyy’s Gratitude for Trump’s Support:
Zelenskyy expressed his thanks to Trump for his early support of Ukraine, particularly for providing Javelin missiles and efforts towards peace. He also acknowledged the productive start of the Ukrainian-American team discussions in Jeddah on March 11th, which have been pivotal in advancing the peace process. - US-Russia Communications:
Trump shared details of his recent conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where the leaders reviewed the situation in Kursk, agreeing to share information closely between their respective defence teams as the battlefield dynamics evolve. - Agreement on Ceasefire and Technical Meetings:
Both leaders discussed a partial ceasefire focused on energy issues. Technical teams from both sides will meet in Saudi Arabia to explore extending the ceasefire to include the Black Sea, which could serve as an early step toward achieving a full ceasefire. Trump and Zelenskyy agreed that such a move would be crucial in ensuring long-term peace. - Air Defence and Humanitarian Efforts:
Zelenskyy requested additional air defence systems, specifically the Patriot missile system, to protect Ukrainian civilians. Trump expressed his willingness to work with Zelenskyy to secure these systems, particularly from European sources. They also discussed Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, with Trump offering US expertise in running Ukrainian electrical and nuclear power plants. Trump suggested that American ownership of these facilities would offer better protection and stability for Ukraine’s energy needs. - Concern for Missing Children and POWs:
Trump raised concerns about the children abducted during the war and expressed his readiness to help bring them back home. Zelenskyy thanked Trump for his leadership in pushing for humanitarian efforts, including prisoner exchanges, and emphasized the importance of ensuring the safe return of civilians affected by the conflict.
Statement from US Officials:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz released a statement highlighting the importance of the call. They noted that the advisors and teams on both sides would continue to work on the technical details of implementing the ceasefire and advancing the peace process. They also emphasized the need for ongoing cooperation to ensure long-lasting peace and security for Ukraine.
Trump’s Social Media Post:
Earlier, Trump announced the one-hour call with Zelenskyy on Truth Social, describing it as a “very good” discussion focused on aligning the demands of both Russia and Ukraine regarding a potential ceasefire. Trump noted that his teams were tasked with moving forward on the technical aspects of the ceasefire and advancing the discussions towards lasting peace.
Key Takeaways:
- Trump and Zelenskyy discussed a path to lasting peace through ceasefire initiatives and cooperation on defence and humanitarian efforts.
- Partial ceasefire and technical meetings in Saudi Arabia are set to explore extending the ceasefire to the Black Sea.
- Zelenskyy thanked Trump for military aid (e.g., Javelin missiles) and support for Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
- The return of missing children and prisoner exchanges were significant humanitarian points raised during the call.