Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump begin to leave the stage after making statements following their meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, Aug. 15, 2025. After that meeting, Trump adopted Putin’s preference for pursuing a sweeping peace agreement that would require Ukraine to cede territory to Russia. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
US President Donald Trump engaged in a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, focusing on efforts to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. The details of the call were shared by Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary, who described the discussion as “positive.” This dialogue occurred shortly after Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, a meeting that, while lacking a definitive breakthrough, was characterized by Trump as a sign of “a lot of progress” toward a potential peace agreement.
During his remarks following the meeting with Zelensky, Trump expressed optimism, stating that a resolution was “getting a lot closer,” although he acknowledged that it might take several weeks to finalize the terms. Zelensky contributed to the discussion by indicating that the peace plan was “90% agreed,” underscoring a collective desire to resolve the conflict.
Despite these positive statements, there remains uncertainty about the actual progress being made toward ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began in 2022. Trump has pledged to halt this conflict should he return to the presidency. Ukrainian officials have recently revised a 28-point draft plan initially proposed by the United States, which was perceived as excessively favorable to Russia. The updated version now includes 20 points; however, Moscow has expressed its refusal to accept certain terms, including stipulations regarding the size of Ukraine’s post-war military.
Zelensky has specifically requested long-term security guarantees from the United States, proposing a commitment that could last as long as fifty years to help deter any future aggression from Russia. Prior to his meeting with Zelensky, Trump noted that he had “very productive” conversations with Putin, reflecting a willingness to engage in dialogue with both leaders.
The discussions between the US and Ukrainian presidents were followed by conversations with European leaders, indicating a broader international interest in the resolution of the conflict. As diplomatic efforts continue, the focus remains on achieving a sustainable peace that addresses the concerns of all parties involved.
