U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy have agreed to cooperate in efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, following a one-hour phone conversation described by the White House as “fantastic.”
The call marked their first discussion since a tense Oval Office meeting on February 28. During the conversation, Zelenskiy expressed gratitude for U.S. support and requested additional air defense assistance to protect Ukraine from Russian attacks. Trump assured Zelenskiy that he would help source the necessary military equipment from Europe.
The White House also confirmed that technical teams from both nations would meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to discuss further developments.
Trump briefed Zelenskiy on his recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which Putin rejected a proposed 30-day ceasefire. However, Moscow did agree to pause attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Despite this, the situation remained tense, with reports of continued strikes from both sides.
Kyiv accused Russia of targeting hospitals and homes while also knocking out power to key railway lines. Meanwhile, Russia claimed that Ukraine had struck an oil depot in southern Russia.
Despite the ongoing violence, both countries engaged in a prisoner exchange, with 175 troops from each side released in a deal facilitated by the United Arab Emirates. Russia also released an additional 22 wounded Ukrainian soldiers as a goodwill gesture.
Zelenskiy described his conversation with Trump as “positive, very substantive, and frank.” He reiterated Ukraine’s willingness to halt attacks on Russian infrastructure and accept an unconditional ceasefire as proposed by the U.S.
“One of the first steps toward fully ending the war could be stopping strikes on energy and civilian infrastructure. I supported this step, and Ukraine confirmed readiness to implement it,” Zelenskiy stated on social media.
However, he later told reporters that Russia’s continued attacks showed that Moscow was not yet committed to peace. He emphasized the need for the U.S. to oversee any ceasefire agreement.
In a surprising development, Trump suggested that the U.S. could help manage and possibly take ownership of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, according to a statement from the U.S. administration. Talks have reportedly begun regarding U.S. involvement in restoring the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which has remained shut since Russian forces occupied it in 2022.
Trump’s diplomatic efforts have raised concerns among European allies, who worry about a shift in U.S. foreign policy after decades of countering Russian expansionism. Some European leaders argued that Putin’s rejection of a full ceasefire proves that Moscow is not genuinely seeking peace.
Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius remarked that Putin was “playing a game” and that Trump would soon be forced to take a firmer stance. Meanwhile, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced plans to propose providing Ukraine with two million rounds of large-caliber artillery ammunition at a meeting in Brussels.
For nearly three years, Russia has targeted Ukraine’s power grid, arguing that civilian infrastructure supports Kyiv’s military efforts. However, these strikes have lessened in recent months.
In response, Ukraine has developed capabilities to strike deep into Russian territory, often using drones to hit oil and gas facilities that fund Moscow’s war efforts.
On Wednesday, Ukrainian authorities reported Russian drone attacks damaging two hospitals in the Sumy region, forcing evacuations. Airstrikes also hit homes and businesses near Kyiv, injuring civilians. Additionally, power systems for railways in southern Ukraine were damaged.
Meanwhile, Russian officials confirmed a Ukrainian drone attack on an oil depot in the Krasnodar region, which briefly disrupted fuel supplies but caused no injuries.
As both sides continue their offensives, the path to a lasting peace remains uncertain, despite renewed diplomatic efforts.