WASHINGTON DC: On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump announced that, following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he and Putin agreed to “immediately” initiate talks with Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy to end the ongoing conflict, which has lasted nearly three years.

Trump shared the news on his social media platform, Truth Social, stating, “We will start by calling President Zelenskyy of Ukraine to inform him of the discussion, which I will be doing right now.”

He revealed that he had appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, and Ambassador Steve Witkoff to lead the negotiations, expressing strong confidence that they would be successful, according to VOA.

Although Trump did not outline specific terms for ending the war, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, speaking from Germany, dismissed Ukraine’s aspiration to join NATO as part of the resolution. “The U.S. does not see NATO membership for Ukraine as a feasible outcome of any negotiated peace,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Trump’s top hostage negotiator highlighted the success of Trump’s “great friendship” with both Russian President Putin and Saudi Arabia’s crown prince in securing the release of American teacher Marc Fogel from Russian custody on Tuesday.

Negotiator Steve Witkoff praised Russia’s role in the release, describing it as a positive sign for future international relations and conflict resolution. “This could signify how President Trump’s relationship with President Putin will shape global affairs going forward,” Witkoff remarked.

Trump welcomed Fogel to the White House later that evening. Fogel, who had been detained since August 2021 for bringing prescribed marijuana into Russia, expressed his gratitude, saying, “I feel like the luckiest man on Earth right now.”

Trump thanked Russia for allowing Fogel to return home but declined to elaborate on the specifics of the deal, calling the arrangement “fair” and “reasonable.” He also mentioned that another hostage release would be announced shortly.

Trump’s National Security Advisor, Michael Waltz, noted that the release was part of a broader diplomatic effort, framing it as a “good faith” gesture from Russia and signaling progress in efforts to end the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has caused immense loss of life since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.

Trump had promised to negotiate a resolution to the Ukraine conflict before assuming office on January 20, but his team now aims to resolve the issue within his first 100 days, by the end of April.

Waltz added, “Since taking office, President Trump has worked tirelessly to secure the release of Americans detained abroad, and he will continue his efforts until every American is brought home.”

The release of six Americans from Venezuela and Fogel’s freedom are the most recent examples of such diplomatic efforts. Fogel had been sentenced to 14 years in prison in Russia for possessing a small amount of medical marijuana to treat back pain. The Biden administration had declared him wrongfully detained in late 2022.

(Inputs from international news agencies)