Tue Mar 18 16:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Trump Speaks Directly with Putin Amidst Growing European Concerns Over Ukraine Concessions

**Washington D.C. –** In a move sparking international concern, President Donald Trump engaged in a 90-minute phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin today, negotiating a potential end to the three-year-long war in Ukraine. The call, which began at 10:00 AM EDT, follows a contentious White House meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky nearly three weeks ago.

While the White House described the call as “going well,” European nations are expressing deep anxiety over the potential for significant territorial concessions to Russia. President Trump has openly discussed the possibility of Russia retaining parts of occupied Ukrainian territory, a prospect that has fueled these concerns. Furthermore, Ukraine has not been directly involved in these ongoing negotiations between Trump and Putin, heightening anxieties in Kyiv and among its allies.

The current situation stems from a 30-day ceasefire proposed by Ukraine following the Trump-Zelensky meeting. However, Russia has attached several non-negotiable conditions to this ceasefire, including the cessation of all US arms shipments to Ukraine and a guarantee against the deployment of NATO peacekeeping troops. Ukraine has rejected these preconditions, demanding an unconditional ceasefire from Moscow.

President Putin, meanwhile, maintains that Russian forces are making steady advances in Ukraine and that any ceasefire would solely benefit Kyiv. He reiterated Russia’s firm opposition to NATO involvement and US military aid for Ukraine, claiming these factors were the root cause of the conflict. The ongoing discussions between Trump and Putin, therefore, hang precariously over the future of Ukraine’s sovereignty and the fragile hopes for peace.

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