Focus on the BIG picture.
Sunday, Nov 16, 2025

Trump and Zelenskyy Engage in Productive Call Amid Ukraine's Ceasefire Progress

Trump and Zelenskyy Engage in Productive Call Amid Ukraine's Ceasefire Progress

The recent conversation between the U.S. and Ukrainian leaders marks a turning point in relations following previous tensions.
Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a “very good telephone call” on Wednesday, marking their first communication since heightened tensions erupted during their last encounter at the White House three weeks prior.

Zelenskyy characterized the call as “positive, very substantive and frank,” as he announced his commitment to a partial ceasefire aligned with Trump’s discussions with Vladimir Putin a day earlier.

The White House reported that Trump reaffirmed his support for Ukraine, including a commitment to assist with sourcing additional air defense systems for Kyiv.

Following the previous contentious meeting, which saw an angry exchange involving Trump, Zelenskyy, and U.S. Vice President JD Vance, both leaders now appear eager to rebuild and stabilize their diplomatic relationship.

In a post on Telegram, Zelenskyy acknowledged the call with gratitude, stating that teams would be tasked with addressing technical matters necessary for implementing and expanding the newly agreed upon partial ceasefire.

Although initial discussions had focused on achieving a complete ceasefire, Putin’s response had suggested a pause in mutual strikes on energy infrastructure and a ceasefire limited to the Black Sea.

Trump described the conversation as lasting approximately an hour, during which he indicated that much of their dialogue related to aligning the needs and requests of both Russia and Ukraine.

His tone was noted to be less intense compared to prior statements.

Subsequently, Ukrainian officials expressed optimism regarding the new footing of U.S.-Ukrainian relations.

In Kyiv, Zelenskyy’s aide Mykhailo Podolyak remarked on the emotional nature of the call, suggesting that previous contradictions had been acknowledged and reconciled.

He also noted a synchronization of positions between the administrations, referencing the concurrent discussions taking place in Saudi Arabia.

However, certain language from the White House, particularly comments from Trump's negotiating envoy Steve Witkoff, has raised concerns among Ukraine's European allies.

Podolyak expressed a sense of calm regarding the Trump administration’s “soft communication” strategy with Russia, emphasizing a belief that such an approach might foster mutual trust despite his reservations about using the term 'trust' in connection with Russia.

Discussions surrounding a potential agreement granting U.S. access to Ukraine’s mineral resources remain pending, while Trump also broached the idea of U.S. ownership of Ukrainian power plants as a means to enhance energy infrastructure security in Ukraine.

The details of the ceasefire discussions appear to lack clarity, as differing accounts emerged from Kremlin and U.S. sources.

Trump conveyed that the ceasefire would encompass both energy and civilian infrastructure, a statement which Zelenskyy echoed by mentioning “ending strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure.” Conversely, Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for Putin, specified that the ceasefire would be limited strictly to the energy sector.

Furthermore, the Kremlin indicated that any peace negotiations would hinge on a complete cessation of foreign military aid to Ukraine.

Trump refuted this point in interviews, claiming that aid was not discussed, which contradicted Peskov’s assertions regarding the dialogue between the two leaders.

Ukrainian officials dismissed the Kremlin’s demand as unrealistic, describing it as an attempt to force Ukraine into considerable concessions regarding its military autonomy and territorial integrity.

Despite ongoing diplomatic dialogues, indications suggest that Putin remains committed to his foundational objectives in the Ukraine conflict.

Reports have surfaced indicating that in a meeting with senior business figures, Putin expressed intentions to persist with military actions until complete control and international recognition of the four regions annexed in 2022 are achieved.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Demolition of White House East Wing Underway for Trump’s $300 Million Ballroom
Democrats Eye Fate of Trump’s $300 Million White House Ballroom in 2028 Comeback Plan
House to Vote on Releasing Epstein Files Amid GOP and White House Tension
New Emails from Jeffrey Epstein Estate Spotlight Donald Trump’s Alleged Awareness of Abuse
Trump Vows $2,000 Tariff-Dividend to Americans as Administration Probes Mechanism
Florida Attorney General Opens Probe into JPMorgan Chase Over ‘Debanking’ of Trump Media
Two Dead After Plane Crashes in Florida on Relief Mission to Jamaica
Thailand Suspends Implementation of Enhanced Ceasefire with Cambodia After Landmine Blast
Trump Hosts Syria’s Ahmed al-Sharaa at White House in Diplomatic Breakthrough
Supreme Court Declines to Reopen Same-Sex Marriage Case
House to Reconvene After Senate Clears Path to End US Government Shutdown
Eighteen Injured After Mobile Lounge Crashes at Washington Dulles Airport
Trump to Host Syria’s Al-Sharaa at White House in Historic Breakthrough
Hungary Claims ‘Indefinite’ U.S. Waiver on Russian Energy Sanctions; White House Says One Year
United States Announces Full Boycott of G20 Summit in South Africa
Social Media Erupts Over Images of President Trump Appearing to Doze During Oval Office Event
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa Arrives in Washington After U.S. Delists Terror Designation
Trump Praises Viktor Orbán as US Grants Hungary Sanctions Relief for Russian Energy Imports
Apple to Pay Google About One Billion Dollars Annually for Gemini AI to Power Next-Generation Siri
Guest Collapses During Oval Office Event With President Trump Announcing Drug-Price Plan
Trump Hosts Central Asian Leaders to Secure Critical Minerals and Strengthen Supply Chains
Viktor Orbán to Meet Donald Trump in Washington Ahead of Proposed Putin Summit
Tourism in Washington D.C. Slumps Amid Extended Government Shutdown
On the Road to the Oscars? Meghan Markle to Star in a New Film
A Vote Worth a Trillion Dollars: Elon Musk’s Defining Day
AI Researchers Claim Human-Level General Intelligence Is Already Here
President Donald Trump Challenges Nigeria with Military Options Over Alleged Christian Killings
Nancy Pelosi Finally Announces She Will Not Seek Re-Election, Signalling End of Long Congressional Career
United States Seeks UN Sanctions Relief for Syria Ahead of Historic Washington Visit
Gold-Cursive Oval Office Sign Sparks Backlash Amid U.S. Government Shutdown
Virginia Democrats Secure Sweeping Victory Across Statewide Offices and Legislature
U.S. Government Shutdown Enters Its 36th Day, Now Longest on Record
Trump Renominates Jared Isaacman to Lead NASA After Earlier Withdrawal
Federal Court Orders White House to Re-establish ASL Interpreters at Trump-Era Briefings
Tragedy in Serbia: Coach Mladen Žižović Collapses During Match and Dies at 44
Diplo Says He Dated Katy Perry — and Justin Trudeau
Dick Cheney, Former U.S. Vice President, Dies at 84
Trump Administration to Cover Half of November SNAP Benefits Using Contingency Funds
Trump Administration Allocates Half of SNAP Funds for November Amid Shutdown
President Trump Declares ‘Greatest Nine Months’ of His Presidency in 60 Minutes Interview
Arkansas to Send About 100 National Guard Soldiers to Washington, D.C. for Civil Security Mission
Wilt Chamberlain’s One-of-a-Kind ‘Searcher 1’ Supercar Heads to Auction
Erling Haaland’s Remarkable Run: 13 Premier League Goals in 10 Matches and Eyes on History
Trump Vows ‘Won’t Be Extorted’ by Democrats as Shutdown Hits Six-Week Mark
Former White House Physician Questions Details of Trump’s MRI and Health Report
Michelle Obama Reflects on Fashion, Identity, and Diversity in New Book ‘The Look’
President Trump Finalises White House Rose Garden Transformation
President Trump to Host Syria’s Ahmed al-Sharaa at White House on November 10
Trump and Xi Seal ‘Historic’ Trade Truce with China Covering Fentanyl, Rare Earths and Soybeans
SNL’s ‘Property Brothers’ Sketch Takes on Trump’s White House Renovation
×