Photo: Alamy
President Donald Trump has long said that the war in Ukraine would have never started if he had been in the Oval Office in 2022.
On the campaign trail and even before, he promised to end it expeditiously upon his return to office in 2025.
Naysayers consistently doubted his ability to accomplish such a feat, but it appears that Ukraine and Russia are ready to negotiate peace.
In a late Wednesday morning Truth Social post, Trump detailed his “lengthy and highly productive” phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“We discussed Ukraine, the Middle East, Energy, Artificial Intelligence, the power of the Dollar, and various other subjects. We both reflected on the Great History of our Nations, and the fact that we fought so successfully together in World War II, remembering, that Russia lost tens of millions of people, and we, likewise, lost so many!” Trump wrote.
He continued his recount of the phone call, where both leaders discussed each nation’s strength and the “great benefit” both countries will “someday have in working together.”
Trump then pivoted to the main purpose of the phone call, the war.
“But first, as we both agreed, we want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the War with Russia/Ukraine. President Putin even used my very strong Campaign motto of, ‘COMMON SENSE.’ We both believe very strongly in it. We agreed to work together, very closely, including visiting each other’s Nations. We have also agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately, and we will begin by calling President Zelenskyy, of Ukraine, to inform him of the conversation, something which I will be doing right now.” He wrote.
Trump then outlined his plan for peace. “I have asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of the CIA John Ratcliffe, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, and Ambassador and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to lead the negotiations, which, I feel strongly, will be successful.”
He reiterated his belief that the war would have never happened if he had been President “but it did happen, so it must end.”
He thanked Putin for the phone call and for releasing schoolteacher Marc Fogel back to the United States.
“I believe this effort will lead to a successful conclusion, hopefully soon!” Trump wrote.
Exactly one hour and 18 minutes later, Trump made another post about his phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“I just spoke to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine. The conversation went very well. He, like President Putin, wants to make PEACE. We discussed a variety of topics having to do with the War, but mostly, the meeting that is being set up on Friday in Munich, where Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead the Delegation.” Trump wrote.
He said that he was “hopeful that the results of that meeting will be positive,” and that it was “time to stop this ridiculous War, where there has been massive, and totally unnecessary, DEATH AND DESTRUCTION.”
“God bless the people of Russia and Ukraine!” Trump concluded.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt briefed the press following both phone calls and delivered a message from President Trump.
“They were very good calls. They were very positive, and the administration is wholeheartedly committed to a peace deal to end, once and for all, the Russia-Ukraine War.”
