U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he had a “long and very productive” phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday. According to Trump, both leaders agreed to immediately begin negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
Through Truth Social, Trump also mentioned that he and Putin had extended invitations to visit each other’s countries. Additionally, he assured that he would call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “immediately” to inform him about the conversation.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the call and detailed that it lasted nearly an hour and a half. “The presidents discussed the exchange of citizens between Russia and the U.S. and also addressed the issue of a solution in Ukraine,” he explained during a press conference.
The conversation took place shortly after a prisoner swap that led to the release of American teacher Marc Fogel, who had been detained in Russia for more than three years. As part of the agreement, the United States will release Alexander Vinnik, a Russian citizen convicted of financial crimes, according to two U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.
