'He wants to see people stop dying': Trump confirms talks with Putin on ending Ukraine war

On June 14, Putin outlined his conditions for an immediate ceasefire, demanding that Ukraine drop its NATO ambitions and withdraw from four regions that Russia claims and largely controls. However, he has ruled out major territorial concessions.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed that he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone about ending the war in Ukraine, The New York Post reported. This marks the first known direct conversation between Putin and a US president since early 2022.

Trump, who has repeatedly vowed to end the war but has yet to outline his strategy publicly, described the ongoing conflict as a “bloodbath” and claimed his team had engaged in “some very good talks,” according to a Reuters report.

In an interview aboard Air Force One, as cited by Reuters, Trump declined to reveal how many times he had spoken with Putin, stating, “I better not say.” He told The New York Post that Putin “wants to see people stop dying.” The White House has not responded to the report, adds Reuters.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, responding to the New York Post report, told Russia’s state news agency TASS that “many different communications are emerging.” However, he added, “These communications are conducted through different channels. I personally may not know something, be unaware of something. Therefore, in this case, I can neither confirm nor deny it.”

Trump, the author of Trump: The Art of the Deal, has frequently stated his intention to end the war and has expressed willingness to meet Putin for discussions. While details of a potential summit remain undisclosed, Reuters reported earlier this month that Russia views Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as possible venues.

On June 14, Putin outlined his conditions for an immediate ceasefire, demanding that Ukraine drop its NATO ambitions and withdraw from four regions that Russia claims and largely controls. However, he has ruled out major territorial concessions.

The Kremlin has been cautious about speculation regarding Trump’s involvement in peace talks. Leonid Slutsky, head of Russia’s parliamentary international affairs committee, told state news agency RIA that preparations for a meeting were at “an advanced stage” and that it could take place as early as February or March.

According to Reuters, Putin’s last known conversation with a U.S. president was with Joe Biden in February 2022, just before the invasion. Meanwhile, veteran journalist Bob Woodward claimed in his 2024 book War that Trump had spoken with Putin as many as seven times after leaving office in 2021. When asked about this in a Bloomberg interview last year, Trump responded, “If I did, it’s a smart thing.” The Kremlin denied the claim, Reuters add.

Trump also told The New York Post that he plans to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy next week to discuss the war’s resolution. While he did not disclose details of his plan, he emphasized urgency in bringing an end to the conflict.

“I hope it’s fast,” Trump said. “Every day, people are dying. This war is so bad in Ukraine. I want to end this damn thing.”