Trump and Putin Speak About Ending War, Trade Deals

US President Donald Trump held a 2-hour long phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as confirmed by a US official speaking to CNN and reported by Russian state news agency TASS.

Just completed my two hour call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia. I

“I believe it went very well,” Trump wrote regarding the phone call, adding that the “tone and spirit” of the call were “excellent.”

“Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a Ceasefire and, more importantly, an END to the War,” he wrote.

“The conditions for that will be negotiated between the two parties, as it can only be, because they know details of a negotiation that nobody else would be aware of.”

Trump wrote that Russia wants to “do largescale TRADE with the United States when this catastrophic ‘bloodbath’ is over, and I agree. There is a tremendous opportunity for Russia to create massive amounts of jobs and wealth. Its potential is UNLIMITED. Likewise, Ukraine can be a great beneficiary on Trade, in the process of rebuilding its Country.”

Trump reported that “Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine will begin immediately,” and that the Vatican has expressed an interest in hosting the talks.

TASS reported that Putin described the exchange as “frank and substantive.”

During the call, Putin also “expressed his position on the ceasefire,” according to TASS.

He went on to thank Trump for the United States’ backing in helping to “resume direct talks between Russia and Ukraine” following their critical conversation.

“The US president expressed his position on the secession of hostilities, ceasefire, and from my end, I have emphasized that Russia stands for peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian crisis. We just need to outline the most effective routes of moving towards peace,” Putin told reporters.

Earlier in the day, Trump also spoke by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to a statement from the Ukrainian presidency.