U.S. President Donald Trump held separate phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, stating both leaders expressed a desire for peace, and ordered top U.S. officials to begin talks on ending the war in Ukraine.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signaled a major shift in U.S. policy, suggesting Ukraine should abandon its NATO aspirations and territorial claims as unrealistic goals. Trump and Putin discussed a possible ceasefire and a future meeting, likely in Saudi Arabia. Trump also spoke with Zelensky, who emphasized Ukraine’s technological capabilities and readiness to collaborate.
European nations insisted they must be involved in any negotiations, while Trump’s administration emphasized security guarantees over NATO membership. Hegseth argued that pursuing pre-2014 borders was an “illusionary goal” that would prolong the war. Trump’s team, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and VP JD Vance, is set to continue discussions, with meetings planned in Munich.
