Trump Claims He Spoke to Putin About Ending War in Ukraine, But Details Remain Elusive

Former President Donald J. Trump has reportedly held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir V. Putin regarding a possible end to the war in Ukraine, according to a report by the New York Post. The report, which did not specify the timing of the call or whether it was acknowledged by Russian sources, adds another layer of intrigue to Trump's often ambiguous stance on the conflict.

Trump, who has long claimed he could swiftly negotiate an end to the war if re-elected, refused to disclose how many times he had spoken to Putin. “Better not to say,” he remarked, adding that the Russian leader "wants people to stop dying on the battlefield."

In his comments, Trump lamented the loss of life, describing the casualties in Ukraine as "young, beautiful... like children" and suggested the war had taken “two million” lives—an unverified figure that exceeds most public estimates. The former president did not provide a source for this claim but reiterated his belief that the war would not have begun had he been in office instead of President Biden.

While Trump has repeatedly stated that he possesses a concrete plan to end the war, he has yet to reveal specifics. His remarks come as the Biden administration continues to support Kyiv with military and economic aid, maintaining that a Ukrainian victory is essential for European stability.

Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance is set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky next week at the Munich Security Conference, where discussions will likely center on continued U.S. assistance. According to New York Post, Washington is preparing a $500 million deal offering security guarantees to Ukraine in exchange for supplying the U.S. with natural gas and rare earth metals once the war concludes.

Neither Moscow nor Russian state media have confirmed any recent conversation between Trump and Putin, raising questions about the former president’s claims. However, his continued assertions about having unique leverage over Putin underscore his efforts to position himself as a key player in future U.S.-Russia relations as the 2024 election approaches.