Despite this, Trump has previously expressed admiration for Putin, referring to him as “pretty smart” for invading Ukraine and praising Russia’s historical military achievements.
Florida – President-elect Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin during their first phone conversation since Trump’s election victory.
Sources familiar with the call, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, revealed that Trump emphasized the United States’ substantial military presence in Europe and cautioned against any escalation of the conflict in Ukraine.
The phone call, which took place at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, marks the beginning of diplomatic interactions between the two leaders as Trump prepares to assume office. The Washington Post first reported details of the discussion, highlighting that Trump’s remarks come as his relationship with Putin continues to be under intense scrutiny. This scrutiny is particularly heightened due to ongoing investigations into alleged ties between Russia and Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.
Despite this, Trump has previously expressed admiration for Putin, referring to him as “pretty smart” for invading Ukraine and praising Russia’s historical military achievements. During the recent conversation, the two leaders discussed prospects for achieving peace in Europe. Trump expressed interest in follow-up talks aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict, aligning with his campaign promise to bring the war to a swift end. However, he has yet to outline a specific plan for how this would be accomplished.
According to individuals briefed on the call, Trump alluded to the possibility of supporting a negotiated settlement that might leave some territories under Russian control. This suggestion has reportedly been a private consideration for Trump and was briefly mentioned to Putin during their conversation. Ukrainian officials were informed about the call and did not raise objections, as they were already aware of Trump’s intention to seek a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict.
Trump’s initial interactions with foreign leaders have taken an unconventional approach, bypassing established protocols that usually involve coordination with the State Department and the use of official U.S. government interpreters. This deviation is reportedly linked to Trump’s longstanding mistrust of career government officials, particularly following previous leaks of presidential phone call transcripts during his first term. Consequently, several world leaders have opted to communicate directly with Trump, circumventing traditional diplomatic channels.
Steven Cheung, Trump’s communications director, addressed the flurry of international interest in the President-elect. “President Trump won a historic election decisively, and leaders from around the world know America will return to prominence on the world stage. That is why leaders have begun the process of developing stronger relationships with the 45th and 47th President, because he represents global peace and stability,” Cheung stated in an email.
Join our Channel...