![[FILE] Donald J. Trump (R) listens to a reporter's question following a press conference in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York, New York, USA, 06 September 2024. EFE-EPA/JUSTIN LANE](https://pre.efe.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/rss-efea5ca85897163e70ec1e61b42717eb549a9470ffew.jpg)
Washington, Feb 12 (EFE).– US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to launch negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
Trump, who detailed the agreement on his social media platform, Truth Social, said the decision followed a “lengthy and highly productive” phone call with Putin after a prisoner swap between the two nations.
He said they discussed a range of global issues, including the Middle East, energy, artificial intelligence, and currency power dynamics.
“We discussed Ukraine, the Middle East, energy, artificial intelligence, the power of the dollar, and various other subjects,” he said.
“We both reflected on the great history of our nations and the fact that we fought so successfully together in World War II, remembering that Russia lost tens of millions of people, and we, likewise, lost so many.”
The president expressed his shared desire with Putin to halt the “millions of deaths” caused by the war, adding that the Russian president invoked Trump’s campaign slogan, “Common Sense,” during their discussion.
Trump said that they agreed to work closely together, including potential visits to each other’s countries.
As part of the initiative, Trump said their teams would begin negotiations immediately, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff leading the American delegation.
Trump also noted that he planned to call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to inform him of the developments.
“We have also agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately, and we will begin by calling President Zelenskyy of Ukraine to inform him of the conversation, something which I will be doing right now.”
He reiterated that the war “would not have happened” under his leadership.”
“Millions of people have died in a war that would not have happened if I were president, but it did happen, so it must end.
“No more lives should be lost! I want to thank President Putin for his time and effort with respect to this call.”
Additionally, Trump thanked Putin for the recent release of Marc Fogel, an American citizen detained in Russia, whom he welcomed at the White House. EFE
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