Trump Celebrates 'Very Good' Call with Zelensky Amid Ongoing Conflict

In a notable phone call, President Trump and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky discussed efforts toward aligning requests from both Ukraine and Russia while focusing on peace initiatives amidst ongoing hostilities.

In a recent social media post on Truth Social, President Trump shared insights from a "very good" hour-long phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This call seems to present a marked contrast to the heightened emotions that surrounded Zelensky's visit to the White House earlier this year.

Trump stated that the conversation aimed to align both Russia and Ukraine in their respective requests and needs, with a particular focus on fostering ongoing ceasefire negotiations. Both leaders had previously acknowledged a willingness to halt attacks on energy infrastructures, although recent exchanges have led to accusations of continued bombardments.

While Trump has been pushing for a broader truce, Russian President Vladimir Putin did not agree to an immediate 30-day ceasefire proposal during a Tuesday conversation with Trump, which would have incorporated land, air, and sea operations and was supported by both the U.S. and Ukraine. In a significant development, Ukraine and Russia conducted a major prisoner swap, exchanging 175 prisoners of war (POWs), which Zelensky hailed as one of the largest of its kind, with Russia including an extra 22 severely wounded soldiers in the deal.

Trump's communication with Zelensky marked an essential aspect of ongoing diplomatic efforts, as he sought to reiterate the U.S.'s commitment to helping Ukraine in sourcing additional air defense systems, particularly in Europe. Secretary of State Marco Rubio later clarified that technical teams would convene in Saudi Arabia soon to expand ceasefire discussions, potentially focusing on the Black Sea region as a foundational step toward concluding the war.

Zelensky described the dialogue as "positive," "frank," and "very substantive," stating that the U.S. and Ukraine must continue collaborative efforts to achieve a genuine resolution to hostilities and foster lasting peace. The exchange of messages highlights both the progress made and the persistent challenges as each side continues to engage in military operations, including recent incidents where hospitals were reportedly targeted, and drone strikes triggered minor fires at Russian oil depots.