Former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the possibility of fully restoring bilateral trade and economic relations if the conflict in Ukraine were to end swiftly, according to a Kremlin statement. The conversation took place on Tuesday and lasted one hour, during which the two leaders also exchanged views on recent diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the war.
The call, described by Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov as "constructive and very candid," touched on the results of recent visits by U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow and Kyiv. These envoys sought to revive stalled peace talks amid heightened tensions and increased military activity. Russia has intensified missile strikes on major Ukrainian cities following a brief pause coordinated to accommodate the envoys’ visits. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the international community on Wednesday for providing “too little response” to the latest attacks.
During the call, Trump emphasized his desire for the conflict to end "as soon as possible," with Ushakov noting that a swift resolution to Russia’s full-scale invasion "would immediately open up impressive and far-reaching prospects" for a return to full U.S.-Russia relations. Putin provided Trump with what was described as an "objective and thorough" briefing on Russia’s military operations, which Moscow terms a special military operation. He also outlined measures the United States could take to help bring about a quick end to hostilities and dismissed concerns about a potential Russian threat to European countries.
This conversation marked the 15th exchange between the two leaders since Trump assumed office in early 2025 and his fifth call with Putin this year, according to Russian news agency Tass. A spokesperson from the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to face critical shortages of air-defense missiles as Russian forces escalate their strikes. Zelenskyy has urged Western allies to provide additional interceptor missiles ahead of the winter months, warning of increased vulnerability. In response, Ukraine has increased long-range drone attacks targeting Russian oil refineries and logistics centers, aiming to pressure Moscow and test Russian resolve amid a conflict that has persisted for more than four and a half years.