Trump and Zelensky Hold 'Very Good' Call, Discuss Peace and Zaporizhzhia Plant

US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held an hour-long phone call, which both leaders described as positive. Trump called the conversation "very good," while Zelensky expressed optimism that "lasting peace can be achieved this year" under Trump's leadership.

The two also discussed potential US involvement in the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, according to Zelensky.

The call's cooperative tone stood in contrast to Zelensky’s tense White House visit last month, where he, Trump, and Vice President JD Vance reportedly engaged in a heated exchange.

Trump and Zelensky Discuss Ceasefire, Air Defense in 'Positive' Call

US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held their first conversation since last month's tense White House meeting, marking a shift toward diplomacy. The leaders discussed ceasefire efforts, Ukraine’s defense needs, and potential US involvement in the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

The call followed meetings between US and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia, where they negotiated a proposed 30-day ceasefire. While Ukraine and the US backed the plan, Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected a broad pause in hostilities during his own call with Trump earlier in the week.

Zelensky indicated he was open to a partial ceasefire, particularly halting strikes on energy infrastructure, railways, and ports, but warned Ukraine would retaliate if Russia violated any agreement. "Until we agree, until there is a corresponding document, everything will fly," he said, referencing continued drone and missile strikes.

Trump, writing on Truth Social, said the discussion aimed to align Ukraine and Russia "in terms of their requests and needs," adding that ceasefire efforts were progressing. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Trump had agreed to help Ukraine secure additional air defense systems from European allies.

The two leaders also committed to closely coordinating defense strategies. Zelensky, who described the conversation as "positive, frank, and very substantive," reiterated his belief that lasting peace could be achieved this year under US leadership.

Despite ongoing ceasefire discussions, both Kyiv and Moscow continue to trade accusations over attacks on energy infrastructure. Putin remains opposed to a full ceasefire while Ukrainian forces occupy parts of Russia’s western Kursk region, following Kyiv’s surprise offensive last year.

Trump, Zelensky Discuss Ceasefire, Military Aid in Hour-Long Call

US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke for about an hour on Wednesday, focusing on aligning Ukraine and Russia’s positions following Trump’s earlier conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin .

Writing on Truth Social, Trump said the call aimed to balance "both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs." Technical teams from Ukraine and the US are now set to meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to further negotiations.

The conversation follows a period of strained relations. During their White House meeting last month, Trump accused Zelensky of not showing enough gratitude for US military and political support, warning that he was "gambling with World War Three." The US briefly suspended military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine before relations improved, leading to an agreed ceasefire on March 11.

Putin has since pledged to halt attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure but insists a full ceasefire is only possible if Western allies stop military aid to Kyiv—an idea rejected by European nations.

Despite ongoing talks, fresh strikes were reported on both sides. Kyiv accused Moscow of targeting hospitals, while Russian officials in Krasnodar said a Ukrainian drone sparked a fire at an oil depot.

In a rare sign of cooperation, Ukraine and Russia also conducted a major prisoner swap on Wednesday, each releasing 175 POWs. Zelensky hailed the exchange as "one of the largest," noting that Russia included an additional 22 severely wounded soldiers.

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