During a phone call on Wednesday, President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin reached an agreement to commence “negotiations” regarding the end of the Ukraine war. They also vowed to “work together, very closely” to conclude the conflict.
In a social media post that disclosed the specifics of a call that transpired subsequent to a prisoner exchange between the two nations, Trump stated, “We each discussed the strengths of our respective nations and the significant advantages that we will one day enjoy as a result of our collaboration.” “However, we both concurred that the initial objective is to halt the millions of fatalities that are currently occurring in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.”
According to the Republican president, the leaders “agreed to initiate negotiations immediately” and would notify Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy of their discussion.
White House officials deferred to provide clarification regarding whether Ukraine would participate in the negotiations between the United States and Russia.
Following a prisoner exchange in which Russia released American schoolteacher Marc Fogel, of Pennsylvania, after more than three years of detention on drug charges, the call was made. Alexander Vinnik, a convicted Russian criminal, is being released as part of the exchange that resulted in the release of Fogel by Moscow, according to individuals who are familiar with the agreement. They spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss nonpublic details.
The United States requested Vinnik’s detention in Greece in 2017 on cryptocurrency fraud charges. He was subsequently extradited to the United States, where he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering last year. The officials stated that he is presently in custody in California, awaiting transportation to return to Russia.
The Kremlin announced on Wednesday that a Russian citizen was released in the United States in exchange for Fogel. However, it declined to disclose his identity until he returned to Russia.
When Fogel returned to the United States on Tuesday evening, Trump extended a warm reception to him at the White House.
In what the White House characterized as a diplomatic thaw that could advance negotiations to end the fighting in Ukraine, Fogel, an American history teacher who was deemed wrongfully detained by Russia, was released. At the time of his apprehension in August 2021, Fogel was serving a 14-year prison sentence.
Steve Witkoff, a special envoy for Trump, escorted Fogel from Russia to the White House, where he was warmly welcomed by Trump. Fogel was anticipated to be reunited with his family.
In exchange for Fogel’s release, the United States did not disclose what it provided, and Trump declined to disclose whether he had discussed the matter with Putin.
In an interview with reporters at the White House on Tuesday, Trump expressed his belief that the release of Fogel could serve as a foundation for a peace agreement regarding Ukraine. He stated, “We were treated very kindly by Russia, actually.” I trust that this marks the commencement of a relationship that will enable us to put an end to the conflict.
The Kremlin was more circumspect, but it also acknowledged that the agreement could contribute to the development of mutual trust.
According to the Kremlin, Putin extended an invitation to Trump to visit Moscow in order to deliberate on Ukraine.
In the interim, the Kremlin announced that Mr. Putin and Mr. Trump had reached an agreement to meet in the future, and that Mr. Putin had extended an invitation to Mr. Trump to visit Moscow.
Mr. Putin’s most recent communication with a sitting U.S. President occurred in February 2022, when he engaged in a conversation with Joe Biden just prior to deploying thousands of troops into Ukraine.
According to the state news agency TASS, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, stated that Mr. Putin and Mr. Trump engaged in discussions regarding the Middle East, bilateral relations, Ukraine, and a prisoner exchange between Washington and Moscow.
“Mr. Peskov stated that the Russian President extended an invitation to the U.S. president to visit Moscow and expressed his willingness to host American officials in Russia in areas of mutual interest, including, of course, the Ukrainian settlement.” “Putin and Trump also consented to maintain personal interactions, which will encompass the organization of an in-person meeting.”
Mr. Trump, the author of the 1987 book Trump: the Art of the Deal, has stated on numerous occasions that he is committed to concluding the conflict and that he intends to meet with Mr. Putin to discuss the matter. However, the date and location of the summit remain unknown to the public.
