Mr. Trump said Mr. Putin 'gave way' for the US to resolve the Ukraine conflict
US President Donald Trump on November 4 (US time) announced a remarkable part of the content of his 2.5-hour phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin last month. According to Mr. Trump, the Russian leader said that Moscow has been trying to resolve the Ukraine conflict for 10 years and now it is "Washington's turn" to try.
Speaking at the American Business Forum in Miami, President Trump quoted Mr Putin as saying: "I spoke to President Putin... and he said: 'We've been trying to solve that war for 10 years. We can't do it, you have to solve it.'"
After this statement, Mr. Trump also added about his ability, alluding to other international conflicts: "I have solved some problems in just one hour."
The October phone call between the two leaders reportedly caught Kiev by surprise. The following day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the White House, reportedly to secure a supply of US Tomahawk missiles to expand its long-range strike capabilities.
However, this week, Mr. Trump reiterated his stance that he was “not really” considering providing Tomahawk missiles. He also said that Kiev and Moscow should be allowed to “resolve” their conflict.
President Trump has long pledged to mediate an end to the Ukraine conflict, which began in 2014 and escalated dramatically in 2022. He resumed direct contact with Moscow this year, but talks, both bilateral and between Russia and Ukraine, have so far failed to produce a breakthrough. Mr. Trump has repeatedly expressed frustration and alternately blamed both Moscow and Kiev for the impasse.
In terms of negotiating positions, Moscow has repeatedly stated that it seeks a long-term solution rather than a temporary ceasefire, which is seen as only allowing Kiev and the West to rearm. Russia insists that any agreement must include conditions on Ukraine's neutrality, demilitarization and recognition of the "current territorial situation".
Meanwhile, Kiev and its European allies continue to call for increased military support, while opposing direct talks between Washington and Moscow on Ukraine. Kremlin officials note that both Putin and Trump have referred to the postponed summit as a “postponement” rather than a “cancellation,” stressing that neither leader “wants to meet just to meet.”