Trump is interested in taking control of Ukraine's power plants.

Trump Holds Crucial Phone Talks with Ukrainian President Zelensky After Discussing with Putin

In a significant diplomatic move, U.S. President Donald Trump held a nearly hour-long phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, just a day after speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Describing the talks as "quite good," Trump emphasized the importance of fostering dialogue between Ukraine and Russia amid ongoing tensions.

The White House revealed that the discussions also touched upon the potential transfer of ownership of Ukraine's nuclear power plants to the United States. However, Zelensky clarified that such a transfer would only be feasible for the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, currently under Russian control.

Following the call, Zelensky expressed optimism, stating that he believes "lasting peace could be achieved this year" under Trump's leadership. This marks a notable shift from the strained atmosphere during Zelensky's visit to the White House earlier this month, where disagreements between the two leaders had created an uncomfortable environment.

This phone call was the first direct conversation between Trump and Zelensky since their Oval Office meeting. Earlier, U.S. and Ukrainian representatives had met in Saudi Arabia, where Ukraine agreed to a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire. However, Putin rejected the ceasefire proposal during his Tuesday call with Trump.

During Wednesday's conversation, Zelensky agreed to a partial ceasefire targeting attacks on energy infrastructure, railways, and ports. He also warned that Ukraine would retaliate if Moscow violated the ceasefire terms. "Until we reach an agreement with Russia and formalize the partial ceasefire, everything remains uncertain," Zelensky said, referencing ongoing drone and missile attacks.

On his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump described the call as an effort to bring Ukraine and Russia to a "parallel position," addressing the "requests and needs" of both sides. He also expressed confidence that the ceasefire efforts were on the right track.

In a detailed statement, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that Trump had agreed to assist Ukraine, particularly in enhancing its air defense systems in Europe. The two leaders also agreed to closer information sharing between their defense personnel due to the "intensifying war situation."

Rubio added that Trump and Zelensky discussed "Ukraine's electricity supply and nuclear power plants," with Trump suggesting that U.S. expertise could improve the efficiency of these facilities. "American ownership would provide optimal security and support for Ukraine's energy infrastructure," Rubio noted.

Zelensky, however, clarified that the discussion only pertained to the Zaporizhzhia plant. During an online briefing with journalists, he described his conversation with Trump as "positive," "open," and "highly significant." "We believe that with America, President Trump, and American leadership, lasting peace can be achieved this year," he wrote on X.

Zelensky also speculated that Putin would not agree to a full ceasefire unless Ukrainian troops withdrew from Russia's western Kursk region, where Kyiv launched a surprise offensive last August. While both Zelensky and Putin have expressed willingness to halt attacks on energy infrastructure, they continue to accuse each other of ongoing strikes.

Trump noted that Wednesday's call with Zelensky lasted nearly an hour. On Truth Social, he wrote, "Following the call with President Putin, today's discussion aimed to bring Russia and Ukraine to a parallel position, addressing their requests and needs."

U.S. and Ukrainian officials are expected to meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days. Last month, during Zelensky's White House visit, Trump had criticized the Ukrainian leader for not being sufficiently grateful for U.S. military and political support, accusing him of "gambling with World War III." The U.S. had temporarily suspended military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, but diplomats later managed to improve relations.

Meanwhile, both Ukraine and Russia have intensified their attacks in recent days. Kyiv has accused Moscow of targeting hospitals, while Russian officials in the southern Krasnodar region reported that a Ukrainian drone strike caused a fire at an oil depot.

Despite the ongoing conflict, Kyiv and Moscow conducted a prisoner exchange on Wednesday, with each side releasing 175 captives.

This development underscores the complex dynamics of the Ukraine-Russia conflict and the critical role of U.S. diplomacy in seeking a resolution. As tensions persist, the world watches closely to see if these high-level discussions can pave the way for a lasting peace.