Donald Trump’s recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin signals a shifting and uncertain landscape for peace negotiations in the Ukraine war. Just last year, Trump boldly promised to end the conflict within “24 hours,” but now his stance appears more cautious and nuanced.
Following a two-hour call on Monday, Trump stated that any peace deal’s conditions must be negotiated directly between Russia and Ukraine, possibly with the Pope’s involvement. Despite this more reserved approach, Trump remains optimistic, posting on social media that the combatants would “immediately start negotiations” toward a ceasefire and an end to hostilities.
However, Putin’s position conveyed a less definitive outlook. The Russian leader described his country’s willingness to collaborate on a “memorandum on a possible future peace agreement,” emphasizing that any resolution must address what he terms the “root causes” of the war — notably Ukraine’s Western orientation. This cautious language suggests that a concrete agreement remains distant.
Trump’s evolving rhetoric may reflect a growing U.S. ambivalence about its role in brokering peace. Although he insists he will not abandon mediation efforts, Trump hinted at a personal “red line” and suggested that if progress stalls, he might step back and let the conflict continue without U.S. intervention. Such a stance echoes warnings from other American officials, including Vice-President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The potential U.S. withdrawal from peace talks raises serious concerns for Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed the importance of America’s continued engagement in negotiations, fearing that reduced U.S. support could tilt the balance in Russia’s favor. Russia’s military capabilities far outmatch a Ukraine deprived of Western aid.
While talks between low-level Russian and Ukrainian delegations have recently resumed, the pathway to a lasting ceasefire remains unclear. Trump’s offer to ease sanctions and promote economic cooperation is intended as leverage to bring Putin to the table, but with ongoing drone strikes and stalled diplomacy, a peaceful resolution still seems distant.
In sum, Monday’s call reflects the complex and fragile state of Ukraine peace efforts—marked by cautious hope, strategic posturing, and significant risks on all sides.
