Africa News 24 Pretoria Bureau
KREMLIN, Russia – Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump held a detailed and frank telephone conversation on Monday, focusing primarily on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The discussion centred on efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution, humanitarian measures, and proposals to de-escalate hostilities.
President Putin expressed gratitude to President Trump for his commitment to ending the violence and loss of life in Ukraine. He reaffirmed Russia’s willingness to work with the United States to develop comprehensive and lasting solutions to the crisis, noted the need to address the root causes of the conflict and safeguard Russia’s legitimate security interests.
Ceasefire proposal and humanitarian gestures
President Trump proposed a 30-day ceasefire, which President Putin responded to favorably. Putin immediately ordered Russian troops to refrain from strikes on energy infrastructure for the proposed period. However, the Russian side outlined key conditions for an effective ceasefire, including the need to halt forced mobilisationand rearmament of Ukrainian forces, as well as ensuring control over the entire frontline.
In a significant humanitarian gesture, Putin confirmed that Russia would treat surrendered Ukrainian soldiers in accordance with Russian law and international humanitarian standards. This followed Trump’s appeal to spare the lives of Ukrainian servicemen surrounded in the Kursk Region. Additionally, Putin announced that Russia and Ukraine would conduct a prisoner exchange on March 19, with each side releasing 175 individuals. As a goodwill measure, Russia will also repatriate 23 heavily wounded Ukrainian soldiers receiving medical treatment in Russian facilities.
Black Sea navigation and broader cooperation
The leaders also discussed the safety of navigation in the Black Sea, with both expressing support for implementing measures to ensure security in the region. They agreed to begin talks to work out the specifics of such an agreement.
Beyond Ukraine, Putin and Trump addressed other pressing international issues, including the situation in the Middle East and the Red Sea region. They highlighted the importance of joint efforts to stabilise crisis zones and enhance cooperation on nuclear non-proliferation and global security. The leaders noted the recent alignment of their positions in a UN resolution on Ukraine as a positive step toward improving bilateral relations.
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Normalizing ties and future collaboration
The conversation also touched on the broader normalisation of U.S.-Russia relations, with both leaders acknowledging their shared responsibility for global security and stability. They explored potential areas of cooperation in economy, energy, and even sports, with Trump supporting Putin’s proposal toorganise ice hockey matches between NHL and KHL players in both countries.
The presidents agreed to remain in close contact on the issues discussed and to continue working toward a peaceful resolution in Ukraine. They also confirmed the formation of Russian and American expert task forces to further develop and implement the proposed measures.
This high-level dialogue marks a significant step in addressing the Ukraine conflict and fostering cooperation between the two nations on critical global issues. As the situation evolves, the world will be watching closely to see if these discussions translate into tangible progress toward peace and stability.
