After media reports about a possible phone call between Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin, both sides officially denied such plans. However, experts do not rule out that such a conversation may eventually take place, particularly with the mediation of former US President Donald Trump.
Participants in the discussion believe it would be appropriate for Donald Trump to act as the initiator and mediator of any future call, which would help avoid the conversation being used in Russian propaganda. Such a contact would be a sign of progress in peace negotiations and signal both parties’ intentions to reach a ceasefire. The involvement of US and Ukrainian officials could lead to the formation of working groups to prepare a framework or final peace agreement.
At the same time, experts note that there is no public initiative for such a call at the moment, although the idea is being communicated to both Moscow and Kyiv by Trump’s team. Trump is interested in the success of talks, as indicated by his ongoing engagement—even during US holidays such as Christmas. However, the negotiation process remains complex, and Russia, if talks collapse, will likely blame Ukraine.
European partners urge caution in decision-making. Leaders of the European Union seek security guarantees for the post-war period, as the threat of escalation on the continent remains real for them. Europe’s stance is characterized by a desire to be a full subject in the security process and to work with both the US and Russia on security guarantees.
In the context of diplomacy, it's worth noting that proposals for a truce have arisen before, such as ahead of the 2024 offensive in Kursk. However, at that time, the Zelensky-Putin conversation did not take place due to ongoing fighting.
Currently, Donald Trump continues to act as an active mediator and is working to keep the peace process alive. The timing and success of further negotiations will depend on the positions of all stakeholders, including Ukraine, Russia, the US, and the EU. A Trump speech in the Ukrainian parliament is considered unlikely, as he is striving to maintain balance. Still, his mediating role remains key for potential contacts between the two leaders.
Guest in the broadcast: Valeriy Kluchok, public figure and head of the Nova Doroha charity fund.
