Special Poll
President-elect Donald Trump recently held a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him to avoid intensifying the conflict in Ukraine, according to a source familiar with the discussion.
Trump has publicly committed to bringing an end to the war in Ukraine, suggesting he would leverage his relationships with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to negotiate a peace agreement. During the call, Trump reportedly delivered a direct message to Putin along the lines of, “Don’t escalate because I have weapons, too.”
Though neither Trump nor Putin publicly acknowledged the call, Trump informed Zelensky afterward. The Washington Post first reported on Trump’s communication with Putin.
A spokesperson for Trump, Steven Cheung, declined to comment on the details of the call, emphasizing that Trump’s interactions with other world leaders are private. Cheung noted, “President Trump’s election has sent a clear message globally, and leaders around the world recognize the return of American prominence on the international stage.” He added that many leaders are already seeking to strengthen ties with Trump, viewing him as a proponent of peace and stability.
On Wednesday, Trump also spoke with Zelensky, and sources indicate that the Ukrainian president found some reassurance in their conversation, which also included Elon Musk. Although Trump has previously voiced reservations about U.S. military aid to Ukraine, sparking concerns among NATO allies, his recent conversation with Zelensky reportedly went well. In an earlier meeting with Trump in New York in September, Zelensky discussed potential diplomatic avenues for ending the conflict with Russia, and sources familiar with that meeting noted Trump’s commitment not to abandon Ukraine.