An envoy for Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the world a "safer place" on Tuesday as the United States and Russia released readouts of a high-stakes phone call between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump.
"Under the leadership of President Putin and President Trump, the world has become a much safer place today!" Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund, wrote on X, formerly Twitter, after the call. "Historic! Epic!"
Putin agreed during the call to a limited ceasefire on attacks against energy infrastructure targets, the Kremlin said in a readout, but he declined to sign on to the conditions of a broader ceasefire that Ukraine had agreed to.
The Russian president also called for a "complete cessation" of foreign military aid and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine, emphasizing the ask as a "key condition" for lasting peace.
In its readout, the White House described the call as the first step in a "movement to peace" it hopes will eventually include a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and a full and lasting end to the war, which Russia launched in February 2022.
Why It Matters
Trump's phone call with Putin was the first known conversation between the two leaders since Ukraine agreed to a temporary 30-day ceasefire with Russia last week.
The Trump administration's thawing of relations with Russia comes after Trump stunned Ukraine and NATO allies by berating Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at an Oval Office meeting last month.
Shortly after the meeting ended, Trump ordered that the United States halt military assistance to Ukraine until Zelensky agreed to sign a rare earth minerals agreement with the U.S. Multiple media reports also said the U.S. had paused some intelligence-sharing with its longtime ally.
Ukraine later said it was ready to sign a temporary ceasefire deal with Russia following talks with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia, subject to the Kremlin's agreement.
What To Know
The White House issued its readout of Trump and Putin's phone call on Tuesday afternoon, saying the two leaders "agreed this conflict needs to end with a lasting peace."
"They also stressed the need for improved bilateral relations between the United States and Russia. The blood and treasure that both Ukraine and Russia have been spending in this war would be better spent on the needs of their people."
The White House's readout of the call, which lasted for more than two hours, went on to say the Russia-Ukraine war "should never have started and should have been ended long ago with sincere and good faith peace efforts."
It did not say who was responsible for starting the war.
Trump and Putin further "agreed that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace."
According to the White House's readout, the two leaders also discussed tensions in the Middle East, particularly between Israel and Iran.
They "spoke broadly about the Middle East as a region of potential cooperation to prevent further conflicts" and "shared the view that Iran should never be in a position to destroy Israel," the readout said.
The Kremlin's readout did not mention any discussion of Iran.
The White House again emphasized that an "improved bilateral relationship" between the U.S. and Russia "has huge upside," including "enormous economic deals and geopolitical stability when peace has been achieved."
The Kremlin's readout, meanwhile, said Putin has agreed to a 30-day ceasefire on attacks against Ukrainian energy infrastructure targets.
"Donald Trump put forward a proposal for the parties to the conflict to mutually refrain from attacks on energy infrastructure facilities for 30 days," the readout said. "Vladimir Putin responded positively to this initiative and immediately gave the Russian military the corresponding order."
However, the Kremlin went on to say that a 30-day ceasefire must include an end to "forced mobilization in Ukraine" and the rearmament of Ukraine's armed forces. It did not include any concessions from Russia's side regarding its mobilization efforts.
What People Are Saying
Trump wrote on Truth Social after the call: "My phone conversation today with President Putin of Russia was a very good and productive one. We agreed to an immediate Ceasefire on all Energy and Infrastructure, with an understanding that we will be working quickly to have a Complete Ceasefire and, ultimately, an END to this very horrible War between Russia and Ukraine."
He added: "This War would have never started if I were President! Many elements of a Contract for Peace were discussed, including the fact that thousands of soldiers are being killed, and both President Putin and President Zelenskyy would like to see it end. That process is now in full force and effect, and we will, hopefully, for the sake of Humanity, get the job done!"
Dan Scavino, the White House deputy chief of staff, wrote on X as the call was underway: "Happening Now—President Trump is currently in the Oval Office speaking with President Vladimir Putin of Russia since 10:00amEDT. The call is going well, and still in progress."
What Happens Next
Zelensky expressed "skepticism" after the call but said that "if there is a partial ceasefire, this is a positive result," according to ABC News.
Update 3/18/25, 1:51 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 3/18/25, 2:31 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information and a new headline.
Update 3/18/25, 4:34 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
About the writer
Gabe Whisnant is a Breaking News Editor at Newsweek based in North Carolina. Prior to joining Newsweek in 2023, he ... Read more