U.S. President Donald Trump has re-opened dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin, marking a stark departure from the Biden administration’s stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This move signals a potential thaw in relations between Washington and Moscow, three years after Putin became an international pariah following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Putin’s war in Ukraine had led to severe diplomatic isolation. The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly condemned Russia’s aggression, and Moscow faced thousands of international sanctions. The International Criminal Court (ICC) even issued an arrest warrant for Putin, cementing his status as a leader shunned by much of the global community. Relations between the Kremlin and Washington reached historic lows, with then-President Joe Biden labeling Putin a “murderous dictator” and a “pure thug.”
The absence of direct communication between Biden and Putin underscored the chasm between the two nations. However, the political landscape has shifted dramatically in 2025 with Trump’s return to power. His first phone call with Putin since reassuming office has already altered the trajectory of US-Russian relations, ushering in a new approach based on engagement rather than isolation.
Trump has expressed his desire to “work together, very closely” with Putin to end the war in Ukraine. He even entertained the possibility of reciprocal state visits, with Putin extending an invitation to Trump to visit Moscow. If the visit materializes, it would mark the first time an American president has traveled to Russia in over a decade, signifying a substantial shift in diplomatic relations.
For Putin, this diplomatic re-engagement is a strategic victory. By bringing the U.S. directly into negotiations, he sidesteps Kyiv and Europe, positioning himself at the center of international diplomacy. The Kremlin’s consistent messaging suggests that Russia is open to talks but strictly on its own terms.
Putin’s so-called peace proposal from June 2024 demands that Russia retains all Ukrainian territories it has seized, with additional claims over land still under Kyiv’s control. The proposal also seeks to bar Ukraine from NATO membership and demands the lifting of Western sanctions on Russia. In essence, it is less a negotiation and more an ultimatum.
While Trump’s willingness to engage with Putin may pave the way for discussions, the core question remains: How much is Putin willing to compromise? The coming months will determine whether this newfound dialogue leads to genuine peace or merely reinforces Russia’s position without meaningful concessions. Either way, the geopolitical balance is shifting once again.
