WASHINGTON, USA — President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a “very good” and “frank” phone call on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, marking their first direct conversation since their tense White House meeting three weeks ago.
The call, which lasted just over an hour, focused on a limited ceasefire agreement and Ukraine’s request for additional air defence systems.
Zelenskyy described the discussion as “positive, very substantive and frank” and confirmed that Ukraine had signed onto a partial ceasefire deal negotiated between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin the previous day.
“We instructed our teams to resolve technical issues related to implementing and expanding the partial ceasefire,” Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram after the call.
Ceasefire and Defence Support
The White House confirmed that Trump had pledged to assist Ukraine in securing more air defence batteries, particularly from European sources, to bolster its protection against Russian strikes.
Ukraine has also formally agreed to halt its own strikes on Russian energy and civilian infrastructure as part of the arrangement.
Further discussions are expected on expanding the ceasefire to include the Black Sea, with the goal of reaching a broader peace agreement.
Zelenskyy indicated his government’s willingness to support an unconditional ceasefire and committed to “continue working to make this happen.”
However, the Ukrainian president also sought reassurances regarding humanitarian concerns, including abducted children and prisoners of war.
International Reactions and Further Diplomacy
European leaders welcomed the call as a step toward de-escalation.
European Council President Antonio Costa said he was “encouraged” by the conversation, calling a halt to strikes on civilian infrastructure “an important and first real step towards ending the war.”
Further diplomatic talks are expected to take place in Saudi Arabia in the coming days, with negotiations likely involving the U.S. and Russia.
Energy and Sanctions Discussions
Trump also proposed that U.S. ownership of Ukrainian electrical supply and nuclear power plants “could be very helpful” in securing the country’s critical infrastructure.
The suggestion comes amid ongoing Russian missile strikes targeting Ukraine’s energy sector.
Ahead of the call, Zelenskyy signalled support for stronger sanctions on Russia, urging the U.S. to increase pressure on Moscow.
He also accused Putin of making comments “at odds with reality” after Russian forces continued their attacks despite verbal commitments to stop strikes on infrastructure.
Tense History and Future Engagements
Wednesday’s call was seen as a crucial step in mending relations between Washington and Kyiv after their last meeting ended in a heated exchange involving Trump, Zelenskyy, and U.S. Vice President JD Vance.
The rift had raised concerns among Western allies over America’s long-term commitment to supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression.
While Trump and Zelenskyy appeared to strike a more cooperative tone in their latest exchange, significant diplomatic hurdles remain.
The details of a full ceasefire agreement, ongoing U.S. military support, and the broader implications of Trump’s engagement with Putin are expected to dominate discussions in the weeks ahead.
