Donald Trump, the U.S. President-elect, recently held a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him not to escalate the war in Ukraine, a source close to the matter confirmed to Reuters. This comes as President Joe Biden is preparing to convince Trump to maintain U.S. support for Ukraine.
Trump’s call with Putin took place in recent days, with another discussion between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky happening on Wednesday. Trump has openly criticized the large scale of U.S. military and financial assistance to Ukraine, pledging to bring an end to the war swiftly, although without providing specifics on how this would occur.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry did not receive prior notice of the Trump-Putin call and, as a result, refrained from commenting. Steven Cheung, Trump’s communications director, declined to provide details, stating, “We do not comment on private calls between President Trump and other world leaders.”
The Russian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Trump, who defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the Nov. 5 election, is set to assume office on Jan. 20. Biden has invited Trump to the White House on Wednesday, according to the White House.
U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan stated that Biden’s primary message will focus on ensuring a peaceful transfer of power. Biden also intends to discuss international issues, including the situation in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, with Trump.
Sullivan emphasized that Biden would make the case to Congress and the incoming administration that the U.S. must not abandon Ukraine. “Walking away from Ukraine means more instability in Europe,” he explained on CBS News’ “Face the Nation” program.
Sullivan’s remarks came as Ukraine launched the largest drone strike on Moscow since the war’s inception, using at least 34 drones.
When asked if Biden would push Congress to authorize additional Ukraine funding, Sullivan refrained from offering specifics but emphasized the need for continued resources for Ukraine after Biden’s term ends.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. has provided Ukraine with tens of billions of dollars in military and economic aid, a figure Trump has consistently criticized. Trump has argued that Putin would not have invaded Ukraine had he been president and has suggested that Ukraine might need to make territorial concessions to achieve peace—something Zelensky and Biden have both rejected.
Zelensky, speaking Thursday, stated that he was unaware of any details regarding Trump’s plans for a quick resolution to the war, believing that such an approach would require major compromises from Ukraine.
As the war approaches what some officials consider its final phase, the Government Accountability Office reports that Congress has allocated over $174 billion in aid to Ukraine under Biden. With Republicans expected to gain control of the Senate, the pace of funding could slow under Trump, who has been a vocal critic of continued support for Ukraine.
The U.S. House of Representatives’ outcome is still uncertain, with Republicans securing 213 seats, just shy of the 218 needed for a majority. If Republicans gain control of both chambers, Trump’s policies would have a clearer path through Congress.
Senator Bill Hagerty, a Trump ally, criticized the U.S. funding for Ukraine in a CBS interview, stating, “The American people want sovereignty protected here in America before we spend our funds and resources protecting the sovereignty of another nation.”
As Russia’s forces continue to advance, the possibility of peace talks remains uncertain. Moscow occupies around one-fifth of Ukraine and insists the war will not end until its annexations are recognized. Ukraine maintains its stance that it seeks the return of all occupied territories, a position supported by its Western allies.
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