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US-Russia to begin talks to end war in Ukraine, Trump says
Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker joins LiveNOW's Andrew Craft to discuss President Trump's social media post Wednesday when he said the U.S. and Russia will begin negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to start negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. The move marks a significant shift in U.S. policy and raises questions about Ukraine’s role in the peace process.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said he spent more than an hour on the phone with Putin and later spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
"I think President Putin wants peace, and President Zelenskyy wants peace, and I want peace," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. "I just want to see people stop being killed."
What we know about the negotiations
The backstory:
Trump did not confirm whether Ukraine would be an equal participant in the peace talks, a departure from the previous U.S. stance under President Joe Biden, which insisted that Kyiv be fully involved in any settlement.
When asked directly if Ukraine would have an equal role, Trump responded, "Interesting question. I think they have to make peace."
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin agreed with Trump on pursuing a "long-term settlement" and that the two leaders discussed Ukraine, the Middle East, and Iran during their call.
Peskov also noted that Putin invited Trump to Moscow and expressed willingness to host U.S. officials in Russia for further discussions.
Trump suggested he might meet Putin in Saudi Arabia, though no official plans have been confirmed.
The U.S.-Russia prisoner swap and diplomatic shift
Big picture view:
The announcement comes just after a high-profile prisoner exchange between the U.S. and Russia.
- Russia released Pennsylvania schoolteacher Marc Fogel, who had been detained for more than three years on drug charges.
- In exchange, the U.S. returned Russian citizen Alexander Vinnik, a convicted money launderer, to Russia.
Trump welcomed Fogel at the White House on Tuesday evening after his release.
The White House framed the prisoner swap as a diplomatic breakthrough, with Trump writing on social media, "We agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately."
Trump has appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, and special envoy Steven Witkoff to lead the U.S. delegation.
President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in a composite image. Trump announced he and Putin have agreed to begin negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine following a prisoner swap. (Photo by JIM WATSON,EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images)
Ukraine's response and military aid negotiations
Despite concerns about Kyiv’s role in the peace process, Zelenskyy sought to remain optimistic, calling his conversation with Trump "meaningful" and noting Ukraine’s "readiness to work together at the team level."
However, Trump also signaled that future U.S. military aid to Ukraine would depend on economic agreements.
- The U.S. is seeking written assurances that Ukraine will provide access to its rare earth elements and energy resources in exchange for continued military assistance.
- Trump said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is currently in Ukraine working on those agreements, stating, "We’re asking for security on our money… They’ve agreed to it."
Zelenskyy acknowledged those discussions, tweeting that "we value our partnership with the United States" and aim to "expand our joint capabilities."
Trump’s stance on Ukraine’s NATO membership
What they're saying:
Another key takeaway from Trump’s remarks was his position on Ukraine joining NATO.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said at NATO headquarters in Brussels that Ukraine’s membership was "impractical"—a position Trump echoed.
"I don’t think it’s practical to have it, personally," Trump said, adding that Russia has long opposed Ukrainian NATO membership.
"They’ve been saying for a long time that Ukraine cannot go into NATO," Trump said. "And I’m OK with that."
This stance directly contradicts the Biden administration’s previous policy, which viewed Ukraine’s NATO membership as inevitable following Russia’s 2022 invasion.
What's next:
- Trump and Putin’s teams will begin preliminary negotiations on a Ukraine settlement, though details remain unclear.
- Trump may meet Putin in Saudi Arabia to further discussions.
- U.S. military aid to Ukraine could be tied to economic agreements on rare earth minerals and energy resources.
- Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Trump’s special Russia-Ukraine envoy, retired Gen. Keith Kellogg, will attend the Munich Security Conference alongside Zelenskyy later this week.
The shift in U.S. strategy signals a major departure from the Biden administration’s "nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine" policy, raising questions about how negotiations will unfold.
The Source: This article is based on reporting from The Associated Press, statements from U.S. and Russian officials, and previous FOX reporting.