Trump and Putin agree to Ukraine peace talks, with potential meeting in Saudi Arabia

• U.S. President Trump and Russian President Putin held a productive call, agreeing to immediate negotiations to end the Ukraine war.
• A potential in-person meeting in Saudi Arabia, mediated by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was discussed.
• Trump signaled a shift in U.S. policy, suggesting Ukraine’s full NATO membership is unlikely and territorial losses may not be fully reversed.
• Ukrainian President Zelensky expressed cautious optimism but concerns remain about Ukraine’s role in negotiations.
• Saudi Arabia’s mediation efforts, including a recent prisoner swap, have positioned it as a key diplomatic player in the peace process.

In a significant step toward ending the nearly three-year-long war in Ukraine, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a “lengthy and highly productive” phone call on Wednesday, agreeing to begin immediate negotiations. The two leaders also discussed the possibility of meeting in Saudi Arabia, a neutral venue where they could further advance peace efforts.

This development marks a potential turning point in the conflict, which has cost thousands of lives and strained U.S. resources, as Washington continues to provide billions in aid and weapons to Ukraine.

The call, the first publicly disclosed conversation between the two leaders since Trump took office, focused on ending the war and addressing broader geopolitical issues. Trump later told reporters at the White House that Saudi Arabia could host their first in-person meeting, saying, “The first time we’ll meet in Saudi Arabia, see if we get something done.” He added that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a key mediator in recent diplomatic efforts, would likely participate.

Progress toward peace

During the call, Trump and Putin agreed to have their respective teams “start negotiations immediately” to resolve the Ukraine conflict. Trump emphasized the urgency of ending the war, stating on Truth Social, “We each talked about the strengths of our respective Nations, and the great benefit that we will someday have in working together. But first, as we both agreed, we want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the War with Russia/Ukraine.”

Trump also signaled a shift in U.S. policy, suggesting that Ukraine’s full NATO membership is “not practical” and that Kyiv is unlikely to regain all its lost territory.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who spoke with Trump shortly after the Putin call, expressed cautious optimism. In a post on X, Zelensky called the conversation “meaningful” and said the two leaders discussed “opportunities to achieve peace.” He added, “No one wants peace more than Ukraine. Together with the U.S., we are charting our next steps to stop Russian aggression and ensure a lasting, reliable peace.”

However, concerns remain about Ukraine’s role in the negotiations. While Trump assured Zelensky that Kyiv would be involved, the U.S. president’s direct engagement with Putin has raised fears among European allies that Ukraine could be sidelined. A joint statement from European foreign ministers stressed that “Ukraine and Europe must be part of any negotiations,” underscoring the delicate balance required to achieve a lasting resolution.

Saudi Arabia as a mediator

Saudi Arabia has emerged as a key player in facilitating dialogue between the U.S. and Russia. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has cultivated strong relationships with both leaders, was instrumental in brokering a recent prisoner swap that saw the release of American Marc Fogel from Russian custody. This goodwill gesture has been seen as a precursor to broader diplomatic efforts.

Trump praised the Saudi leader’s role, saying, “We know the crown prince, and I think it’d be a very good place to be.” While no specific date has been set for the potential summit, Trump indicated it could happen in the “not so distant future.”

The renewed dialogue between Trump and Putin represents a significant shift in U.S.-Russia relations, which had been largely frozen under the Biden administration. Trump’s willingness to engage directly with Putin and his focus on ending the war align with his broader goal of reducing U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts.

As negotiations move forward, the challenge will be balancing the interests of Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. while ensuring that any peace deal is sustainable. For now, the prospect of a Trump-Putin meeting in Saudi Arabia offers a glimmer of hope that the war in Ukraine could soon come to an end, potentially allowing the U.S. to redirect its resources toward domestic priorities.

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

Axios.com

ABCNews.go.com

CNN.com