President Donald Trump said he held a lengthy call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday and suggested that Moscow consider a limited ceasefire in Ukraine, adding that the Russian leader might soon make an announcement on the idea.
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Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said the discussion covered both the war in Ukraine and tensions involving Iran. He said he proposed what he described as “a little bit of a ceasefire” in Ukraine and believes Putin may consider it.
“I had a long talk with President Putin,” Trump said during the appearance, which took place alongside astronauts from the Artemis II mission at an event recognising their achievements. “I suggested a little bit of a ceasefire and I think he might do that. He might announce something having to do with it.”
Russia’s state news agency TASS reported that Putin told Trump he was ready to declare a ceasefire tied to Victory Day, a national holiday on May 9 marking the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.
Ceasefire linked to Victory Day
According to TASS, the proposed ceasefire would coincide with Victory Day commemorations, which are a major annual event in Russia.
Trump said the call with Putin lasted more than 90 minutes. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago, and fighting has continued despite repeated international efforts to negotiate a settlement.
The US president has been pressing both Moscow and Kyiv for months to reach a deal to end the conflict, though little visible progress has been reported so far.
Trump said he believes the Russian leader is open to finding a resolution.
“I think he would like to see a solution,” Trump said of Putin. “He was ready to make a deal a while ago.”
He added that he expects a solution could emerge relatively quickly, although he did not provide details on how negotiations might advance or when a breakthrough might occur.
Uncertainty over war timelines
During the remarks, Trump was asked whether the conflict between Russia and Ukraine or the US confrontation with Iran might end first.
The president said he could not predict which situation would be resolved sooner and suggested they might unfold on a similar timeline.
“Which war would end first? I don’t know, maybe they’re on a similar timetable,” Trump said, describing the question as “interesting”.
The United States has been engaged in escalating tensions with Iran while continuing diplomatic efforts related to the conflict in Ukraine.
Discussion of Iran’s uranium
Trump said Iran was also discussed during the call, and that Putin offered to help address the issue of enriched uranium in the country.
According to Trump, the Russian president suggested Moscow could assist with “enrichment”, which Trump indicated might refer to helping remove Iran’s enriched uranium.
However, Trump said he told Putin he would prefer Russia concentrate on ending the war in Ukraine.
“He told me he’d like to be involved with the enrichment, if he can help us get it,” Trump said. “I said, ‘I’d much rather have you be involved with ending the war with Ukraine.’ To me, that would be more important.”
The call comes as diplomatic efforts continue around both conflicts, though no immediate changes on the battlefield or in negotiations were announced.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 30 April 2026
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