Saturday, March 29, 2025
In a high-stakes phone conversation, Russian President Vladimir Putin made it clear to former U.S. President Donald Trump that Russia is not ready to spare Ukraine or withdraw from its core military objectives. However, Putin did indicate a willingness to resume negotiations for a possible ceasefire.
The call, held on July 3, centered around the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, with Trump urging Putin to bring an end to the war. Despite Trump’s push for peace, Putin stood firm on Russia’s goals in Ukraine. According to reports, the Russian leader stated that while he is open to restarting dialogue, Russia will not compromise on its strategic interests.
Following the conversation, Trump addressed the media, revealing that the phone call was long and covered several global issues, including Iran. He noted, “We discussed the war in Ukraine, but I’m not satisfied with Russia’s position on the matter. Today’s conversation did not result in any concrete outcomes.”
Sources suggest that any future peace talks between Russia and Ukraine may take place in Istanbul, although no official date or framework has been confirmed.
The Russia-Ukraine war dates back to 2014, but the current phase began on February 24, 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russia has cited NATO expansion and security concerns as justification for the attack. The war has since caused widespread devastation, with over 8 million Ukrainians fleeing the country and a similar number displaced internally.
In March 2025, under Trump’s mediation, both sides had agreed to a 30-day ceasefire. However, the truce fell apart due to non-compliance with key terms by both parties. According to UN data, between February and August 2022 alone, more than 5,500 people were killed and over 8,500 injured due to the conflict.
The war continues to rage across multiple fronts, with global powers watching closely. Putin’s latest conversation with Trump may have reopened a channel for diplomacy, but for now, peace remains elusive.
