President Donald J. Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke by phone today, discussing ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine, according to a joint statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz.
The conversation followed U.S.-led negotiations in Jeddah earlier this month, where senior officials from both nations worked on potential solutions to de-escalate the conflict. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for U.S. support, particularly the Javelin missiles Trump was the first to provide during his previous administration.
READ: Trump And Zelenskyy Discuss Partial Ceasefire Following U.S.-Russia Talks
President Trump briefed Zelenskyy on his recent call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, detailing key topics covered in the negotiations. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to sharing military intelligence, particularly regarding the battlefield situation in Kursk, an area of strategic importance.
A partial ceasefire on energy infrastructure was also agreed upon, with technical teams set to meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to explore a broader ceasefire that could extend to the Black Sea—a step both sides view as a path toward a full cessation of hostilities.
The conversation also touched on Ukraine’s electrical supply and nuclear power plants, with President Trump offering American support to help operate and secure those plants. Trump suggested that U.S. ownership of Ukraine’s power infrastructure could provide stronger security and stability for the country’s energy grid.
READ: Trump Admin Announces Capture Of MS-13 Leader, Third “Ten Most Wanted” Fugitive Apprehended
One of the key requests from President Zelenskyy during the call was additional air defense systems, particularly Patriot missile batteries, to protect Ukrainian civilians. Trump agreed to explore available systems in Europe and work on a solution to bolster Ukraine’s defenses.
Zelenskyy thanked Trump for his continued pressure on humanitarian issues, specifically the exchange of prisoners of war (POWs). The Ukrainian leader acknowledged a successful prisoner swap earlier this week, in which Russia and Ukraine exchanged 175 prisoners each, and Russia released 22 wounded Ukrainian soldiers.
Trump also raised concerns over Ukrainian children who have gone missing during the war, including those allegedly abducted and taken to Russian-controlled territories. He promised to work with both sides to facilitate the return of these children to their families.
READ: Megyn Kelly: Judge Who ‘Thinks He’s President’ Is Pushing US Toward Constitutional Crisis
The two leaders commended their diplomatic teams, including Secretary Rubio, NSA Waltz, and Special Envoy Kellogg, for their efforts in advancing the ceasefire discussions. They instructed their representatives to accelerate technical work on ceasefire logistics and broaden diplomatic engagement toward a lasting peace agreement.
While a full ceasefire remains under negotiation, today’s conversation signals a significant step forward in the ongoing U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to end the war.
Both Trump and Zelenskyy emphasized the urgency of continued progress, with further meetings planned to finalize the next phase of the ceasefire agreement and establish long-term security measures.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
