Trump-Putin call signals shift in US-Russia relations on Ukraine: WP
3 Min Read
Following Trump's win, Ukrainian officials have been informed of his intention to engage diplomatically with Putin, though they remain cautious about the potential impact on their war efforts.
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President Donald Trump, right, shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan, Friday, June 28, 2019. (AP)
The Washington Post reported on Sunday that US President-elect Donald Trump recently held his first phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin since winning the election, signaling a potential shift in US-Russia relations under Trump's leadership.
The call, taken by Trump from his resort in Florida, covered key topics including the Ukraine conflict.
According to sources familiar with the discussion who spoke on the condition of anonymity, Trump reportedly urged Putin to avoid any escalation, reminding him of the substantial US military presence in Europe.
The two leaders reportedly shared a desire for peace in Europe, with Trump expressing interest in ongoing discussions to achieve a resolution to the Ukraine war.
During his campaign, Trump promised to bring an immediate end to the conflict, and sources indicated that he might support a deal allowing Russia to retain certain territories it has captured.
Trump briefly raised the issue of territorial concessions during the call, suggesting a willingness to negotiate Ukraine's contested regions, though specifics remain unconfirmed.
Read more: Zelensky rejects territorial concessions as West mulls settlement
Trump's approach diverges sharply from that of the Biden administration, which has consistently backed Ukraine with military aid and sanctions against Russia.
In a separate conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump maintained a friendly tone, but his past comments regarding the high costs of US support for Ukraine have stirred concerns in Kiev.
Following Trump's win, Ukrainian officials have been informed of his intention to engage diplomatically with Putin, though they remain cautious about the potential impact on their war efforts.
Direct Diplomacy
Unlike past presidential transitions, Trump's initial calls with world leaders have taken place outside of traditional State Department protocols.
Sources reveal that Trump's team has chosen not to involve government interpreters and has not yet signed an agreement with the General Services Administration, reflecting a distrust of career officials following past leaked transcripts. According to one source, leaders worldwide are "just calling [Trump] directly."
Trump has spoken with around 70 foreign leaders since his election, including Zelensky and Ukrainian ambassador Oksana Markarova.
However, Zelensky's recent visit to an ammunition plant in Pennsylvania, a key swing state, was criticized by Trump allies as a political maneuver, further straining relations with Trump's campaign.
Some US officials are concerned that Trump does not want to enter office facing a new Ukraine crisis, motivating him to discourage any escalation from Russia.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded positively to Trump's election, commenting on Russian state TV that Trump's focus on deal-making and peace, as opposed to confrontation, "sends positive signals" about future relations.
Despite Moscow's initial lukewarm response to Trump's victory, Putin congratulated Trump on Thursday, applauding his "manly" response to an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania and signaling a readiness to discuss peace efforts.
Read more: Kremlin says Trump's foreign policy less predictable than Biden's
