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Trump Held a Phone Call With Putin—Here Are the Key Takeaways
The White House and the Kremlin published their respective readouts following the phone conversation between US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, with both statements highlighting key discussions on Russia’s war against Ukraine and potential pathways to peace.
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On March 18, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine. They emphasized the urgent need to end the war, with discussions focused on a ceasefire and diplomatic efforts.
Below, we present the readouts released by the White House and the Kremlin.
Kremlin readout:
30-day ceasefire: In response to Donald Trump’s proposal for a temporary ceasefire, the Russian side agreed to halt strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure for 30 days. However, the Kremlin expressed doubts about Ukraine’s ability to adhere to the agreement.
Peace talks: Vladimir Putin stated Russia’s commitment to a peaceful resolution but emphasized the need to address Russia’s “security concerns.” The Kremlin insisted that any agreement must take these demands into account.
Humanitarian considerations: In response to Trump’s call for humane treatment of Ukrainian soldiers in the Kursk region, Russia stated that surrendered soldiers would be treated in accordance with Russian law and international standards.
Prisoner exchange: Putin informed Trump that a prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine would take place on March 19, with 175 prisoners from each side being exchanged. Russia also transfer 23 seriously wounded Ukrainian soldiers currently receiving medical treatment in Russian hospitals back to Ukraine.
Black Sea maritime ceasefire: Putin responded positively to Trump’s idea of implementing a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea to ensure the safety of shipping lanes and to avoid further escalation in the region. Both leaders agreed to begin negotiations on the specifics of this initiative, focusing on practical steps for its implementation.
Hockey diplomacy: Trump supported Putin’s idea to organize hockey matches in the United States and Russia between players from the NHL and KHL .
Foreign military aid: The Kremlin demanded a complete halt to foreign military aid and intelligence support to Ukraine, describing it as a key condition for avoiding further escalation of the war.
White House readout:
The White House provided the following key points from the conversation:
Ceasefire and peace efforts: Trump and Putin agreed that the war should end with a lasting peace. Both leaders stressed that the immense resources being spent on the war should be redirected to the needs of the people of Ukraine and Russia. Trump expressed that the war should have never started and should have been ended long ago, urging that efforts toward peace should begin immediately. He proposed a 30-day ceasefire, with a particular focus on halting attacks on energy infrastructure as the first step toward broader peace negotiations.
Middle East cooperation: The leaders spoke about the potential for future cooperation in the Middle East as a way to prevent future conflicts. They also discussed the importance of halting the proliferation of strategic weapons. Washington announced that another round of talks regarding the Russian war in Ukraine would begin immediately in the Middle East.
Bilateral relations: The conversation concluded with a shared understanding that improving US-Russia relations could bring significant geopolitical stability and open the door for economic deals once peace is achieved in Ukraine. Both leaders highlighted the potential benefits for both nations in fostering stronger bilateral relations after the war.
Next steps and ongoing dialogue
Trump and Putin agreed that a continued dialogue would be essential in resolving the Russia’s war against Ukraine. To that end, expert groups from both the US and Russia will work to explore possible solutions.
Statement from President Trump:
After the conversation, President Trump made a statement on his Truth Social network:
“My phone conversation today with Putin of Russia was a very good and productive one. We agreed to an immediate Ceasefire on all Energy and Infrastructure, with an understanding that we will be working quickly to have a Complete Ceasefire and, ultimately, an END to this very horrible War between Russia and Ukraine. This War would have never started if I were President! Many elements of a Contract for Peace were discussed, including the fact that thousands of soldiers are being killed, and both Putin and President Zelenskyy would like to see it end. That process is now in full force and effect, and we will, hopefully, for the sake of Humanity, get the job done!”
Previously, it was reported that Russian leader Vladimir Putin has agreed to a 30-day suspension of strikes on energy infrastructure following a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump.
