U.S. President-elect Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, discussing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, The Washington Post reported Sunday, citing sources familiar with the conversation.
Trump reportedly urged Putin to avoid escalating the war and reminded him of the “significant U.S. military presence in Europe,” according to the report.
READ: Putin Signals Tough Stance On U.S. Relations, Pushes “New World Order” Vision Without Concessions
Throughout his campaign, Trump said he would resolve the war in Ukraine “within a day.”
The phone call with Putin followed an earlier conversation on Wednesday between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as reported by multiple media outlets.
The Kremlin responded on Friday, confirming Putin’s willingness to engage in talks with Trump about Ukraine. However, Russian officials emphasized that this did not signal a change in Moscow’s demands.
READ: Putin Congratulates Trump’s Presidential Win, Calls Him ‘Manly’
In June, Putin outlined his conditions for ending the conflict, which include Ukraine abandoning its NATO ambitions and withdrawing all military forces from four regions that Russia has claimed.
Ukraine has flatly rejected these terms, viewing them as a forced surrender. President Zelensky has instead presented a “victory plan” that calls for increased military support from Western allies, highlighting the ongoing divide between the two nations and the challenges facing any diplomatic resolution.
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