Inside Trump and Putin’s high-stakes ‘hour-long’ call after secret Moscow trip
Vladimir Putin told Donald Trump in a Tuesday phone call that Russia has no hostile intentions towards Europe, according to the Kremlin, following inconclusive visits to Moscow and Kyiv by Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner aimed at ending the Ukraine war. The hour-long call focused on a possible settlement, with Trump reportedly stressing the benefits of a swift resolution, including a full restoration of US-Russian relations, though no breakthrough was announced.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Putin dismissed reports that Russia was preparing to attack a NATO member, and confirmed Putin had ordered a temporary halt to strikes on Kyiv to allow the envoys' negotiations to proceed safely. The talks followed a secret visit to Russia by CIA Director John Ratcliffe, who reportedly warned Moscow against attacking NATO states. The four-and-a-half-year war has caused an estimated 570,000 to 775,000 deaths combined, with casualties including the injured and missing reaching around 1.6 million for Russia and up to 625,000 for Ukraine; talks remain stalled, with Russia demanding territorial concessions in Donbas that Kyiv has rejected, and no further meetings scheduled.
In short
- Putin told Trump Russia has no plans to attack Europe
- Kremlin envoys' Moscow and Kyiv visits ended without a breakthrough
- War has caused hundreds of thousands of casualties; talks remain stalled
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters of renewed US-Russian engagement could argue that direct talks and a temporary halt to strikes create room for diplomacy, reduce immediate risks and offer a route towards ending a war with devastating human costs. They may see restored relations and a swift settlement as worthwhile goals, provided negotiations produce a durable agreement.
The case against
Sceptics could argue that assurances of peaceful intent and a pause in strikes do not resolve the security concerns raised by Russia’s invasion or the warnings about NATO states. With talks stalled over territorial demands rejected by Kyiv and no further meetings scheduled, they may fear that prioritising speed or restored relations could leave Ukraine facing an unacceptable settlement without reliable protection.
Explained simply
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and the war has caused extensive deaths and injuries. Russia and Ukraine have held talks about ending the fighting, but they remain far apart: Moscow wants Ukraine to give up territory in Donbas, which Kyiv has rejected.
Donald Trump is the US president, Vladimir Putin leads Russia, and Ukraine is defending its territory. Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have travelled to Moscow and Kyiv to discuss a possible settlement; the United States has also been seeking a broader improvement in relations with Russia.
The war affects European security as well as Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine is not a member of NATO, the military alliance that includes the United States and many European countries, but concern about possible conflict between Russia and NATO has added urgency to diplomatic efforts.
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