Russian President Vladimir Putin and the current President of the United States of America Donald Trump had a long and frank telephone conversation that lasted more than two hours in an attempt to find a way to end the conflict in Ukraine. The conversation was described by Putin as “very useful” and “informative,” and Trump said the tone and spirit of the discussion were “excellent.”

In a statement to Russian media, Putin stressed that the conversation was open and constructive, and led to concrete ideas for future steps. One of its main outcomes was Moscow's announced intention to propose a formal memorandum outlining the principles and parameters of a possible peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine.

“Russia will propose and will be ready to work with the Ukrainian side on a memorandum on a possible future peace agreement, in which a number of positions will be defined,” the president said. He said the document could include “the principles of settlement, the timeframe of a possible peace agreement, etc., including a possible ceasefire for a certain period of time if appropriate agreements are reached.”

Putin also pointed out that the direct talks between Russia and Ukraine held in Istanbul the previous week signalled movement in the right direction. According to him, these contacts give reason to believe that the parties are on the “right track” towards finding a solution. In this context, he called for mutual compromises, stressing that both Moscow and Kiev should make every effort to find balanced solutions that would satisfy all sides.

President Trump also made a public statement after the talks. In a post on his own social network Truth Social, he announced that Russia and Ukraine will begin immediate ceasefire talks, stressing that the ultimate goal is not just a ceasefire but an end to the war.

“Russia and Ukraine will begin immediate negotiations for a ceasefire and, more importantly, an end to the war,” Trump wrote. He described the spirit of the talks as positive, giving hope for a real diplomatic breakthrough in efforts to end the ongoing military conflict.

While details surrounding the specific terms and content of the forthcoming memorandum have not been revealed, the coinciding statements by the two leaders outline a new, more hopeful phase in relations between Russia, Ukraine and the international community.

It remains to be seen whether the stated willingness to cooperate will translate into concrete actions that lead to lasting peace and stability in the region. | BGNES