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President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone call to discuss a potential ceasefire following Trump’s conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, yesterday, President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke about a potential ceasefire in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. During the call, Putin agreed to a limited halt on attacks against energy infrastructure but notably rejected the broader 30-day ceasefire proposal backed by Ukraine and the US. As a condition for any larger truce, Putin insisted that all foreign military and intelligence aid to Ukraine be completely cut off, arguing that continued Western support was prolonging the war. Additionally, he stressed the need to address what he called the “root causes” of the war, which the Kremlin argues is Ukraine’s alignment with the West and its aspirations to join NATO.
What’s going on now: According to the White House, the Trump-Zelenskyy call focused on advancing ceasefire negotiations while addressing Ukraine’s urgent military and humanitarian concerns. A readout said, ” President Trump briefed President Zelenskyy on his conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the key issues discussed. They reviewed the situation in Kursk and agreed to share information closely between their defense staffs as the battlefield situation evolved.”
A key topic of discussion was Ukraine’s request for additional air defense systems, particularly the American-made Patriot missile systems, which Zelenskyy stressed were critical for protecting Ukrainian cities from ongoing Russian attacks. While Trump did not commit to providing more Patriots directly, he assured Zelenskyy that he would work with European allies to help locate alternative air defense solutions to bolster Ukraine’s defenses.
Beyond military aid, the conversation also touched on the humanitarian crisis stemming from the war, specifically the thousands of Ukrainian children who have been forcibly taken to Russia. Trump vowed to prioritize efforts to locate and return the missing children to their families despite some funding being cut for this effort.
This comes as Zelenskyy has told his counterparts in Finland that Ukraine will “win this war.” While speaking alongside Finnish leader Alexander Stubb, Zelenskyy said, “We are fighting for our sovereignty, for our independence. And we will definitely win this war. As for what to do next – without us, it is impossible to end this war with a just peace.”
