US President Donald Trump described his recent hour-long phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as “very good,” occurring just a day after he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelensky expressed optimism that “lasting peace can be achieved this year” with Trump’s leadership.
During the conversation, they discussed the potential for US ownership of the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia power plant, according to Zelensky.
The tone of this call contrasts sharply with Zelensky’s visit to the White House last month, which featured a heated exchange among Trump, Zelensky, and US Vice-President JD Vance. Wednesday’s call was their first since that meeting, although their teams have since met in Saudi Arabia to negotiate a proposed 30-day ceasefire.
While Ukraine and the US back the ceasefire proposal, Putin rejected it during his call with Trump on Tuesday. Zelensky indicated openness to a partial ceasefire that would suspend strikes on energy infrastructure and port facilities but warned of retaliation if Russia violated the terms.
He stated, “I understand that until we agree with Russia on a corresponding document for even a partial ceasefire, I think that everything will fly,” referring to the ongoing use of drones and missiles.
On his social media platform Truth Social, Trump noted that the call sought to align Ukraine and Russia regarding their respective requests and needs, highlighting that ceasefire efforts were progressing.
Later, Secretary of State Marco Rubio elaborated that Trump had concurred to assist Ukraine in sourcing additional air defense systems, particularly in Europe. He added that both leaders agreed to maintain close communication between their defense staffs as the battlefield situation evolves.
Zelensky described the conversation as “positive,” “frank,” and “very substantive” during a briefing with journalists, asserting confidence that with American support under Trump’s leadership, lasting peace is possible this year.
In the video call, Zelensky expressed skepticism that Putin would endorse a full ceasefire while Ukrainian forces remained in Russia’s western Kursk region, especially after Kyiv’s surprise attack on the region last August.
Both leaders have indicated a willingness to halt attacks on energy infrastructure, yet each has accused the other of ongoing hostilities. Trump confirmed that their discussion focused significantly on his previous call with Putin to align the needs of both countries.
Technical teams from Ukraine and the US are expected to meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days. Following tensions during Zelensky’s prior visit to the White House, where Trump criticized Ukraine’s gratitude for US military and political support, relations have since improved.
During his call with Trump on Tuesday, Putin agreed to halt attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure but stipulated that a full ceasefire would depend on Ukraine’s allies ceasing military assistance— a condition that Kyiv’s European partners have previously rejected.
Despite ongoing strikes, which included claims from Kyiv that hospitals were targeted, Ukraine and Russia managed a significant prisoner swap on Wednesday, with each side releasing 175 POWs. Zelensky remarked that this exchange was “one of the largest” and noted that Russia included an additional 22 “severely wounded” soldiers.
Credit: BBC News
