Official statements from European leaders, reputable news sources

Trump Plans Post-Inauguration Call with Putin to Discuss Ukraine Peace and In-Person Meeting

Jan 20, 2025, 05:20 AM

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has directed his aides to arrange a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin within days of his inauguration on January 20, according to CNN. The primary objective of the call is to discuss a potential in-person meeting in the coming months. This meeting aims to explore solutions to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with Trump’s team hoping to quickly implement a resolution plan. Reports indicate that Trump’s team began preparations for the call weeks ago, signaling an intention to prioritize direct communication with Putin. European partners reportedly view the timeline for resolving the Ukraine conflict, which could take up to six months, as a sign that the Trump administration does not intend to abandon support for Kyiv. The Kremlin has not commented on the matter, and it remains unclear if a date for the call has been set. This approach marks a shift from the policies of President Joe Biden, who did not engage in direct talks with Putin for nearly three years.