Tue Mar 18 16:56:00 UTC 2025: ## Trump Speaks with Putin in Two-Hour Call Amid Ukraine War Concerns
**Washington D.C. -** Following a contentious meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky, President Donald Trump held a two-hour phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday in a renewed attempt to broker a ceasefire in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The White House described the call as “going well.”
The conversation focused on securing a ceasefire in the eastern European conflict zone, which has lasted over three years and resulted in tens of thousands of casualties. Prior to the call, President Trump indicated a willingness to discuss territorial concessions by Ukraine to Russia, sparking concern among European nations.
These concerns stem from President Trump’s previously expressed admiration for Putin and fears that he may cede too much Ukrainian territory without sufficient consultation with Kyiv. While Ukraine has agreed to a 30-day temporary ceasefire and dialogue, Russia has imposed a series of non-negotiable conditions, including the withdrawal of NATO troops from Ukraine and a halt to US arms shipments. Ukraine, however, demands an unconditional ceasefire.
President Putin has asserted that any ceasefire would primarily benefit Ukraine, claiming Russian troops are making steady advances. He has categorically ruled out the deployment of NATO peacekeeping forces in Ukraine, reiterating Russia’s stance that NATO’s involvement provoked the war.
President Trump, in statements made prior to the call, indicated his intention to discuss the transfer of land and power plants, potentially referring to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which was captured by Russia early in the conflict. Following the call, he posted on Truth Social that significant progress had been made towards a final agreement, but much remained unresolved. The situation is described as entering a critical stage.
First Piper 