U.S. President Donald Trump’s phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin is currently taking place and “going well,” according to White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino. The call, which began at 10:00 EDT (14:00 GMT), marks the second known conversation between the two leaders since Trump returned to office in January.
Trump had previously spoken with Putin in the early days of his second term, alongside a call to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Following that discussion, the Kremlin described the exchange as “positive and constructive,” as the two sides explored pathways to end the war in Ukraine.
Unlike in January, when news of the call took many by surprise, this time world leaders engaged in peace efforts had prior conversations with Trump. French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer both confirmed speaking with Trump earlier in the week. Starmer reportedly emphasized the need to put Ukraine in “the strongest possible position” during negotiations.
The timing of Putin’s public appearance at the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs meeting in Moscow coincided closely with his scheduled call with Trump. He arrived at the event about 30 minutes before the expected conversation window and departed at 13:52 GMT, according to Russian state media.
While details of the Trump-Putin discussion remain unclear, Trump had stated that topics would include “land,” “power plants,” and “dividing up certain assets.” These statements suggest that negotiations may touch on territorial issues and control over critical infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Putin has expressed cautious support for a proposed 30-day ceasefire but raised concerns about its enforcement. At a recent news conference, he questioned how the ceasefire would be monitored and whether Ukraine would use the pause to rearm and mobilize. The Kremlin later said it shared the U.S.’s “cautious optimism” following a meeting with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. However, Zelensky dismissed Putin’s stance as “manipulative” and called for further sanctions on Russia.
With Trump and Putin’s conversation ongoing, global attention remains on whether their dialogue will yield tangible steps toward a ceasefire and potential peace agreement in Ukraine.
