Trump calls Putin for an hour: Is a Ukraine peace breakthrough finally possible?

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held an hour-long phone call on September 8 to discuss renewed diplomatic efforts to end the Ukraine war, following recent meetings between US envoys and leaders in Moscow and Kyiv. Moscow: US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held an hour-long phone conversation on Tuesday, September 8, focusing on efforts to revive peace negotiations over the Ukraine war and the outcome of recent meetings by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Witkoff and Kushner met Putin in Moscow on September 5 before travelling to Kyiv for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on September 6. The meetings were part of the Trump administration's latest attempt to restart diplomatic efforts that have so far failed to produce a lasting settlement. Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov described the Trump-Putin conversation as 'constructive and frank'. He said Trump made clear that he wanted the conflict to end as quickly as possible, while Putin briefed him on developments on the battlefield and outlined steps he believed Washington could take to help end the fighting. Trump links peace to US-Russia ties According to Ushakov, Trump argued that ending the war could create an opportunity for a broader improvement in relations between Washington and Moscow. He said Trump viewed a breakthrough during his presidency as desirable and believed it could lead to significant expansion in trade and economic ties between the two countries. The Kremlin said Putin supported this approach. The two leaders agreed to remain in contact and speak by telephone again if necessary. They also agreed on the importance of continuing prisoner exchanges. During the call, Putin also addressed European concerns about Russia's intentions. Ushakov said Moscow maintained that it had no aggressive plans towards European countries. Ukraine has responded cautiously to the renewed diplomatic activity. Zelenskyy said Witkoff and Kushner had presented ideas that could form the basis for further discussions, although Kyiv would need to examine the proposals carefully. Zelenskyy also said he hoped to meet Trump around September 20, when world leaders are expected to gather in New York for the United Nations General Assembly. Ukraine's priorities for any such meeting are expected to include strengthening its air defences. Kyiv has continued to face Russian drone and ballistic missile attacks and has repeatedly requested additional interceptor missiles and air-defence systems, including Patriot systems. Kyiv prepares for possible new talks Zelenskyy indicated that negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States could resume in the autumn. He also suggested that Ukraine could consider compromises on issues such as grain exports and energy as part of a broader negotiating process. The weekend meetings by Witkoff and Kushner represented a renewed effort by Washington to narrow differences between Moscow and Kyiv. However, Ukraine continues to link any potential settlement to security guarantees and sufficient military support to withstand Russian attacks. Despite the renewed diplomatic activity, Russia has not indicated that it is abandoning its military objectives in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow remained determined to achieve its stated goals on the battlefield while also expressing support for a peaceful settlement and Trump's diplomatic efforts. Ushakov said Putin had briefed Trump on Russia's plans to make further battlefield gains. Russian and Ukrainian forces continue to fight along the front line, with neither side having achieved a decisive breakthrough capable of ending the war.