Trump and Zelensky Talk About Nuclear Power and Ceasefire in “Very Good” Call

In a “very good” phone conversation, Trump and Zelensky talked about nuclear power, ceasefire efforts, and US assistance for Ukraine’s defense.

Both parties characterized Wednesday’s one-hour phone chat between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as constructive and positive. Despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s rejection of a more comprehensive peace proposal, the demand comes amid continued diplomatic efforts to achieve a partial truce in Ukraine.

Following the conversation, Zelensky voiced hope that “lasting peace can be achieved this year” under Trump’s direction. Since their contentious White House encounter last month, the two leaders had not spoken directly until this discussion. Since then, their teams have convened in Saudi Arabia to negotiate a proposed 30-day truce, which Putin has rejected but which is supported by the US and Ukraine.

During the call, Zelensky proposed a limited truce that would target strikes on ports, railroads, and energy infrastructure. But if Moscow broke the deal, he said, Ukraine would strike back.

In reference to continuous drone and missile attacks, Zelensky stated, “I understand that until we agree [with Russia] … everything will fly.”

Trump later stated on his Truth Social platform that ceasefire attempts were making headway and that the discussion was intended to “align Ukraine and Russia in terms of their requests and needs.”

The possible U.S. involvement in Ukraine’s nuclear power industry was one of the most important subjects of conversation. Although Zelensky subsequently clarified that the conversation was limited to the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia site, the White House acknowledged that the possibility of American ownership of Ukraine’s nuclear plants was brought up.

According to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump promised to help Ukraine acquire more air defense systems, especially from European partners. Rubio also underlined that US nuclear facility ownership might protect Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

Russia and Ukraine started new assaults on Wednesday despite continuing ceasefire talks. While Russian officials claimed a Ukrainian drone strike on a **oil facility in Krasnodar, Ukraine accused Russia of targeting hospitals.

Nonetheless, the two sides traded 175 prisoners of war (POWs) apiece in a rare instance of collaboration. Zelensky called the exchange “one of the largest,” adding that Russia also sent 22 other soldiers who were seriously injured.

Trump and President Putin spoke separately on Tuesday, and the Russian leader agreed to stop attacking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. A complete ceasefire, however, would only be achievable if Western countries ceased providing military assistance to Ukraine, a demand that Kyiv’s European allies have consistently rejected, according to Putin.

Technical teams from both countries will continue their deliberations in Saudi Arabia in the days after the Trump-Zelensky call. Following White House tensions last month that momentarily resulted in the suspension of US military assistance and information sharing, US-Ukraine ties again seem to be healing.

Ukraine is on high alert as diplomatic attempts continue, with both sides doubting that a long-term peace agreement is possible as long as fighting continues on the battlefield.