US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) described his telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin as "productive," stating that both leaders agreed to an immediate ceasefire on all energy and infrastructure.
Trump, in a post on his social media platform Truth Social, said they discussed elements of a peace agreement and that the ceasefire process is now in motion.
"My phone conversation today with President Putin of Russia was a very good and productive one. We agreed to an immediate Ceasefire on all Energy and Infrastructure, with an understanding that we will be working quickly to have a Complete Ceasefire and, ultimately, an END to this very horrible War between Russia and Ukraine. This War would have never started if I were President! Many elements of a Contract for Peace were discussed, including the fact that thousands of soldiers are being killed, and both President Putin and President Zelenskyy would like to see it end. That process is now in full force and effect, and we will, hopefully, for the sake of Humanity, get the job done!" his post read.
"It's a bad situation in Russia, and it's a bad situation in Ukraine," he said on Monday. "What's happening in Ukraine is not good, but we're going to see if we can work a peace agreement, a ceasefire and peace, and I think we'll be able to do it."
His remarks come as both sides continue to grapple with intensifying clashes, particularly in the Kursk region.
The phone call between Trump and Putin focused on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, during which the two leaders agreed on the necessity of lasting peace.
They also discussed a proposed ceasefire in the Black Sea and broader regional stability in the Middle East.
During the conversation, both leaders acknowledged that improved bilateral relations between the United States and Russia could bring significant benefits, which could be realized once peace is achieved.
The Trump administration is pushing for an immediate halt to hostilities after Ukraine agreed to a temporary cessation of fighting, provided Russia does the same, ABC News reported
Trump has made clear his intention to mediate a resolution between the two nations, emphasising the need for a swift de-escalation of violence.
"Today, President Trump and President Putin spoke about the need for peace and a ceasefire in the Ukraine war. Both leaders agreed this conflict needs to end with a lasting peace. They also stressed the need for improved bilateral relations between the United States and Russia. The blood and treasure that both Ukraine and Russia have been spending in this war would be better spent on the needs of their people," read a statement from the White House press secretary.
"Happening Now--President Trump is currently in the Oval Office speaking with President Vladimir Putin of Russia since 10:00 am EDT. The call is going well, and still in progress," Scavino posted on X.
According to the ABC News, it is the first known call between Trump and Putin since peace talks between the US and Ukrainian officials a week ago in Saudi Arabia yielded Kyiv agreeing to an immediate, temporary stop to hostilities should Moscow do the same.
While Trump remains hopeful, Putin has been noncommittal on the ceasefire proposal. The Russian leader has expressed conditional support, seeking additional security guarantees before agreeing to pause hostilities. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Putin of deliberately prolonging the conflict and obstructing peace efforts.
A Ukrainian official familiar with the negotiations told ABC News that Kyiv is closely monitoring the Trump-Putin discussion, emphasising that Ukraine accepted the ceasefire "with zero conditions" and warning that any additional demands from Russia would not be tolerated, reported ABC News.
Trump has framed his involvement in the negotiations as a humanitarian effort, stressing the urgency of halting bloodshed. "A lot of people are being killed over there. And, we had to get Ukraine to do the right thing. It was not an easy situation. You got to see a little glimpse at the Oval Office, but I think they're doing the right thing right now. And we're trying to get a peace agreement done. We want to get a ceasefire and then a peace agreement," he said Monday.
The outcome of Trump's talks with Putin could have significant implications for the three-year-old war, which began when Russian forces invaded Ukraine. A key question remains: how far is Trump willing to go to pressure Russia into accepting a ceasefire and a broader peace settlement?
The Trump administration recently took decisive steps, including pausing some military aid and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine following a contentious Oval Office meeting with Zelenskyy. These measures were reinstated only after Ukraine agreed to the US-backed ceasefire proposal last Tuesday, ABC News reported.
Beyond the immediate ceasefire talks, broader geopolitical factors remain at play. US officials have signaled that a full Ukrainian return to prewar borders is unrealistic and have ruled out NATO membership for Ukraine. However, the administration has not imposed similar conditions on Russia. This asymmetry raises questions about the broader strategic interests at stake in the negotiations.
Trump has hinted at potential compromises involving land and power plants as part of a larger settlement. Speaking aboard Air Force One on Sunday, he said, "Well, I think we'll be talking about land. It's a lot of land. It's a lot different than it was before the wars, you know. And we'll be talking about land, we'll be talking about power plants. That's a big question, but I think we have a lot of it already discussed, very much by both sides."
Although Trump has suggested financial pressure as a potential tool to push Russia toward compliance, he expressed hope that such measures would not be necessary. "There are things you could do that wouldn't be pleasant in a financial sense," he noted last week.
"I can do things financially that would be very bad for Russia. I don't want to do that because I want to get peace."
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