Trump Talks Putin, Pursues Russia ‘Reset’ Over Ukraine Peace Efforts?
It wasn’t just another diplomatic call.
Something potentially huge was discussed.
A High-Stakes Conversation
Following a two-hour phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 19, former US President Donald Trump took to social media.
He announced that Russia and Ukraine would “immediately start negotiations” towards a ceasefire and an end to the conflict.
Trump added a crucial point:
“the conditions for peace ‘will be negotiated between the two parties, as it can only be’.”
This statement, coupled with the Vatican’s reported interest in hosting talks and informing European leaders, hints at a significant shift.
Shifting Gears After Stalled Progress?
Prior US efforts to mediate the complex situation in Ukraine had seemingly stalled.
Expectations for a quick resolution were always high, fueled in part by Trump’s previous claims he could end the conflict rapidly.
The possibility of the US adjusting its approach grew after face-to-face talks between Ukraine and Russia earlier in May concluded without a ceasefire breakthrough.
Days later, Trump announced his planned calls with both Putin and Ukrainian President Zelensky.
Shortly before the Trump-Putin call, Vice-President J.D. Vance reportedly told reporters that the US might consider ending its direct shuttle diplomacy efforts.
This suggested the administration was assessing the effectiveness of current strategies.
The Realities on the Ground
Achieving a ceasefire has proven incredibly difficult.
Russia continues to insist on significant concessions, including territorial demands and Ukrainian neutrality, which Ukraine rejects.
Russian President Putin’s comments after the call indicated readiness to “work with Ukraine on a memorandum on a possible future peace agreement,” mentioning a “possible ceasefire for a certain period of time, should relevant agreements be reached.”
This suggests a step-by-step process, not an immediate halt to fighting.
Just before the call, Russia conducted a large drone attack, highlighting that fighting continues despite diplomatic efforts.
Putin reportedly spoke with Trump while visiting a music school in Sochi, potentially indicating his ability to multitask while the conflict persists.
A Different Conversation Entirely?
While the focus has been on Ukraine, the conversation with Putin may have encompassed much more.
Sources suggest a significant part of the discussion was dedicated to exploring a potential “reset” of US-Russia relations.
Trump himself described the “tone and spirit” of his call with Putin as “excellent.”
He also appeared optimistic about the prospects of “large-scale trade” with Russia.
This broader focus could indicate a strategic calculation: that addressing the underlying relationship between global powers might be necessary before local conflicts can be truly resolved.
The Strategic Shift Emerges
While initial reports centered on Trump’s push for Ukraine talks, the actual emphasis of the call appears to have been on exploring a path towards improving overall US-Russia ties.
This potential ‘reset’ seems to be taking priority over the challenging task of directly mediating the immediate ceasefire in Ukraine.
The sequence of events—a shorter call with Zelensky followed by a much longer one with Putin, and then informing allies—reinforces the idea that the core discussion was not solely centered on presenting Putin with a ceasefire ultimatum.
Instead, it seems the focus was exploring future bilateral relations.
Effectively, the US may be shifting its role, stepping back from direct, hands-on mediation of the Ukraine conflict to focus on the bigger picture of superpower relations.
Looking Ahead
This potential strategic shift could see the US encouraging Ukraine and Russia to engage directly, perhaps with European support, while Washington explores the possibility of a broader de-escalation or normalization with Moscow.
It’s a complex approach, reflecting the difficult reality that simply mediating a ceasefire has proven exceedingly challenging.