US President-elect Donald Trump recently reached out to Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging restraint and encouraging steps towards ending the Ukraine conflict, according to a Washington Post report on Sunday. The call, placed from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, came shortly after his decisive victory over Democratic opponent Kamala Harris.
Sources familiar with the call indicate Trump emphasised the significance of the U.S. military presence in Europe, hinting at America’s readiness to maintain its strategic position. Trump reportedly expressed a keen interest in resolving the prolonged Ukraine crisis, stating he looks forward to further talks on potential peace solutions.
Trump’s unexpected win has raised speculation over a possible shift in U.S. policy regarding Ukraine, as he previously questioned Washington’s extensive financial support for Kyiv. A call held on Wednesday between Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and tech billionaire Elon Musk reportedly reaffirmed Trump’s commitment to open dialogue and strengthened U.S.-Ukraine cooperation.
In the meantime, outgoing President Joe Biden’s administration is set to deliver the remaining $6 billion in U.S. aid earmarked for Ukraine, aiming to fortify Kyiv before the January 20 transition. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan confirmed on Sunday that the White House’s focus remains on empowering Ukraine on the battlefield to secure a robust position in future negotiations.
The Kremlin has cautiously welcomed Trump’s stance, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressing approval of Trump’s emphasis on peace over confrontation. Throughout his campaign, Trump promised a rapid resolution to the Ukraine war, but details of his approach remain undisclosed.
Trump’s potential peace efforts may involve significant concessions, as suggested by former Trump advisor Bryan Lanza, who implied that Ukraine could abandon plans to reclaim Crimea to achieve peace—a sentiment Trump’s team clarified did not officially reflect the president-elect’s stance.
With neither side showing signs of a ceasefire, both Ukraine and Russia have continued to press for control, launching large-scale drone attacks over the weekend in an apparent bid to secure leverage for eventual negotiations. Russia fired 145 drones at Ukraine, while Moscow reported intercepting 34 Ukrainian drones.
