After a Long Wait, Talks to End Russia-Ukraine War Begin Between Presidents Donald Trump and Putin

After a Long Wait, Talks to End Russia-Ukraine War Begin Between Presidents Donald Trump and Putin

Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump said that during a phone call on Wednesday, he and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to begin "negotiations" to end the Ukraine war, and they would "work together, very closely" towards ending the conflict.

In a social media post, Trump stated, "We each talked about the strengths of our respective nations and the great benefit we will someday have in working together. But first, as we both agreed, we want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the Russia-Ukraine war."

President Trump further mentioned that the two leaders had agreed to have their respective teams start negotiations immediately and that they would alert Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about their conversation.

White House officials declined to provide further details but did not clarify whether Ukraine would be part of the U.S.-Russia negotiations.

The call followed a prisoner swap between Russia and the United States, in which Russia released American schoolteacher Marc Fogel, who had been detained in Russia for nearly three years on drug charges. In exchange, convicted Russian criminal Alexander Vinnik was also released.

Vinnik was arrested in Greece in 2017 at the request of the U.S. on cryptocurrency fraud charges and was later extradited to the United States, where he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. He is currently in custody in California awaiting transfer back to Russia.

The Kremlin stated on Wednesday that a Russian citizen was released in the U.S. in exchange for Fogel, but it did not identify the individual until they arrive in Russia.

Trump welcomed Fogel to the White House on Tuesday night after his return to U.S. soil. Fogel, a history teacher who had been wrongfully detained by Russia, was freed in what the White House described as a diplomatic thaw that could pave the way for talks to end the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Trump told reporters, "We were treated very nicely by Russia. I hope this is the beginning of a relationship where we can end that war."

The Kremlin responded more cautiously, but noted that the deal could help strengthen mutual trust.