On March 18, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a crucial phone call to address the ongoing Ukraine war. The discussion aimed to convince Moscow to agree to a 30-day ceasefire and explore pathways toward a permanent peace deal.
Key Highlights:
- The call began at 10 a.m. ET (1400 GMT) and was described as “going well” by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino.
- Ukraine has already agreed to the U.S.-proposed ceasefire, marking a potential turning point in Europe’s largest conflict since World War II.
- Russian President Putin expressed conditional support for the truce but emphasized the need to address several key issues before halting military operations.
- President Trump also hinted at a longer-term peace plan, which could involve territorial concessions by Kyiv and discussions over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
Broader Implications:
- The Kremlin highlighted a “certain understanding” between the two leaders, building on their previous phone call on February 12, 2025, and subsequent high-level contacts.
- Kirill Dmitriev, Putin’s special envoy, praised the leadership of Trump and Putin, stating that their efforts have made the world a safer place.
