Trump and Putin in talks to end the Russia-Ukraine War
New York PostFEB 19
Kremlin Can't 'Confirm or Deny' Report of Trump-Putin Call
Above: Donald Trump (R) and Vladimir Putin during the G20 summit in Osaka on June 28, 2019. Image copyright: Brendan Smialowski/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Trump narrative
The war in Ukraine needs immediate resolution to stop the devastating loss of life, and direct communication with Putin shows promising progress toward peace negotiations. A concrete plan exists to end the conflict swiftly, and Putin has demonstrated genuine concern about battlefield casualties.
Pro-Russia narrative
While various diplomatic channels remain active between Moscow and Washington, no serious discussions about potential meetings have taken place. Russia maintains that any peace deal must include Ukraine's commitment to neutrality, demilitarization, and recognition of territorial changes.