Trump Discusses the Necessity of Ending the Ukraine War with Putin

According to the New York Post, Donald Trump, the President of the United States, has discussed the end of the Ukraine war in a phone call with Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia. This is considered the first direct conversation between Vladimir Putin and a U.S. President in about three years. In an interview published on Saturday, February 9, Trump expressed hope for a quick end to the war, stating, "I hope it is quick. People are dying every day. This war in Ukraine is very bad." The New York Post reported that Trump said Putin wants to stop the killing of people. Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson for the Kremlin, refrained from confirming or denying the New York Post's report, stating to the Russian news agency TASS that contacts have taken place through various channels. The cancellation of Ukraine's NATO membership request and the withdrawal of the Ukrainian army from four regions occupied by Russia are among the conditions that Putin had previously stipulated for an immediate end to the war. According to Reuters, Trump has mentioned the possibility of meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, in the coming week to discuss ending the war. Zelensky recently stated in an interview with the Associated Press that Russia is unwilling to participate in ceasefire negotiations or discuss any concessions, as the Kremlin views such actions as a defeat. He indicated that Trump could bring Putin to the negotiating table by threatening to impose sanctions on the Russian energy sector and banking system while continuing support for the Ukrainian army. In recent months, Russian forces have intensified their attacks in eastern Ukraine. Since the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Russia has occupied about one-fifth of the country's territory. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces are facing shortages of personnel and equipment.