A lengthy phone call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin resulted in the two leaders agreeing to “a ceasefire in the Ukraine war,” that “needs to end with a lasting peace.”
On Tuesday March 18, about 10 a.m., President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin jumped on a phone call to discuss Washington’s proposal of a 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
“Both leaders agreed this conflict needs to end with a lasting peace…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,” the White House said in a statement released after the conversation between the leaders.
“This conflict should never have started and should have been ended long ago with sincere and good faith peace efforts.”
During the call – that NBC reports lasted “over an hour and a half” – the two leaders started “laying the groundwork for a ceasefire that included an agreement to stop attacking energy targets.”
Trump and Putin decided that the movement to peace “will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace. These negotiations will begin immediately in the Middle East,” the White House said.
The readout next emphasized the Trump administration’s commitment to improving U.S.-Russia relations, highlighting this agreement as a step toward enhanced cooperation and stability.
“A future with an improved bilateral relationship between the United States and Russia has huge upside. This includes enormous economic deals and geopolitical stability when peace has been achieved,” the White House wrote.
What Trump said
Shortly after the phone call, Trump shared a post on Truth Social, breaking down some of his agreement with Putin.
“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.”
The message, shared at 2:49 p.m. continues, “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!”
The White House didn’t dive into specifics about what a permanent ceasefire would look like, leaving many wondering what’s on the table. Now three years since Putin launched his attack against Ukraine, the world is watching to see what unfolds next.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had not commented on the announcement.
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