In his first phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin since winning the U.S. presidency, President-elect Donald Trump issued a stern warning against escalating the war in Ukraine. The call took place at Trump’s resort in Florida and was reported by “The Washington Post”.
Sources familiar with the discussion, who chose to remain anonymous, stated that Trump reminded Putin of the significant U.S. military presence in Europe. This call comes amid ongoing concerns about Trump’s relationship with Putin, especially in light of investigations into potential Russian interference in Trump’s 2016 campaign.
While Trump has previously praised Putin’s strategic actions, including his controversial invasion of Ukraine, he now seeks to engage in discussions aimed at achieving peace in Europe. Trump expressed a desire for follow-up talks to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, in line with his campaign promise to end the war swiftly. However, he has not revealed specific strategies for bringing about peace.
According to sources, Trump has privately supported a potential deal that would allow Russia to retain control over certain captured territories, a topic he briefly raised during the call. Ukrainian officials were notified of the conversation but did not object, as they were aware of Trump’s intention to explore diplomatic solutions to the crisis.
In an unconventional move, Trump’s initial calls with foreign leaders have deviated from standard protocol. Unlike previous U.S. presidents, these conversations are not being conducted with the assistance of the State Department or government interpreters. This approach may be linked to Trump’s past experiences with government leaks, which led him to bypass traditional diplomatic channels and communicate directly with world leaders.
Trump’s communications director, Steven Cheung, expressed in an email, “President Trump won a historic election decisively, and leaders from around the world know that America will return to prominence on the world stage. That is why leaders are already working to build stronger relationships with the 45th and 47th President, as he represents global peace and stability.”
