Putin Tells Trump: Russia Wants Peace Talks But Won’t Abandon Ukraine War Objectives
MOSCOW — In a high-level phone call between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, the Kremlin said Putin reiterated Russia’s desire for a diplomatic resolution to the war in Ukraine—but made it clear Moscow would not abandon its core military and strategic goals.
The call came as Putin addressed a plenary session at a strategic forum in Moscow, where he echoed a hard-line stance that has defined his government’s war messaging since the 2022 invasion. According to Yuri Ushakov, a senior foreign policy adviser to the Kremlin, the leaders discussed Ukraine, Iran, and broader Middle East affairs during a “lengthy and constructive” conversation.
“President Trump again raised the issue of bringing the Ukraine conflict to an early end,” Ushakov told Russian reporters. “President Putin responded that Russia remains open to negotiations, but we will not step back from the goals outlined at the beginning of the operation.”
While the Kremlin did not specify whether these goals have changed since the early days of the war, they have historically included the demilitarization of Ukraine, protection of Russian-speaking populations in the Donbas, and the prevention of NATO expansion in Eastern Europe.
Diplomatic Dance Amid Global Tensions
The phone call comes at a critical moment, as Ukraine’s counteroffensive continues to face challenges and Western support shows signs of fatigue. Trump, who is campaigning for a return to the White House in 2025, has repeatedly criticized U.S. aid to Ukraine and vowed he could negotiate an end to the war “within 24 hours” if re-elected.
Putin, however, appeared to rebuff that timeline by emphasizing Russia’s unwillingness to compromise on its war objectives. “We are open to diplomacy,” Putin reportedly said, “but not at the cost of surrendering our national interests.”
Despite the geopolitical tensions, both leaders agreed on the importance of maintaining open lines of communication on global security issues. According to Ushakov, Trump and Putin also discussed the situation in Iran and stressed the need for “peaceful and diplomatic solutions” to rising tensions in the Middle East.
Western Analysts Skeptical of Kremlin Messaging
While the Kremlin framed the conversation as proof of Russia’s openness to negotiations, Western analysts remain skeptical. Many believe Putin’s references to diplomacy are more about shaping international perception than about making actual concessions.
“Putin’s strategy remains consistent: hold territory, outlast Western unity, and control the narrative,” said Fiona Hill, a former U.S. National Security Council official and longtime Russia expert. “Trump’s calls for peace might sound appealing to voters, but they don’t change the reality on the ground.”
Looking Ahead
With U.S. elections approaching and Ukraine’s military facing logistical and territorial challenges, Thursday’s phone call underscores how diplomatic maneuvering around the war is ramping up in tandem with political campaigning.
Whether the conversation between Trump and Putin was a genuine attempt to explore peace or simply political posturing remains unclear. What is certain is that Putin’s public insistence on Russia’s non-negotiable goals signals no near-term end to the conflict—despite Western hopes for a resolution.
