In a crucial phone call, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, emphasizing the need for a lasting peace. Both leaders agreed on a proposed ceasefire in the Black Sea and broader regional stability, including efforts to prevent future conflicts in the Middle East.
The White House released a statement highlighting the leaders’ shared perspective on ending the war.
“President Trump and President Putin spoke about the need for peace and a ceasefire in Ukraine. Both leaders agreed that this conflict must conclude with a lasting resolution. They also emphasized the importance of strengthening US-Russia relations,” the statement read.
Trump stressed that the resources spent on war—both in human lives and financial costs—should be redirected to the welfare of the people.
“The blood and treasure spent on this war could be better used to meet the needs of their citizens,” the White House statement added.
In addition to the Ukraine conflict, the two leaders discussed the economic and geopolitical advantages of improved US-Russia relations. According to the statement, they agreed that fostering peace could lead to substantial economic benefits and enhanced global stability.
A key focus of their conversation was the Black Sea, a vital region for Russian wheat exports. The leaders proposed an immediate ceasefire in the area, crucial for Russia’s agricultural trade. According to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, Russia exports between 2.0 to 4.5 million tons of wheat via sea each month, with key buyers including Turkey, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Algeria.
“This conflict should have ended long ago through sincere and good-faith peace efforts,” the statement said. “The leaders agreed that peace efforts should begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, followed by technical negotiations on implementing a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea.”
Beyond Ukraine, Trump and Putin discussed broader stability in the Middle East, agreeing that conflict in the region must be prevented and strategic weapon proliferation must be curbed. They also reaffirmed that Iran must never be in a position to threaten Israel’s security.
According to reports from ABC News, the Trump administration is pushing for an immediate 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, following Ukraine’s conditional agreement to a temporary halt in fighting, provided that Russia reciprocates.
The phone call marks a significant diplomatic effort toward resolving the conflict, with both leaders committing to advancing negotiations for long-term peace.
