Donald Trump is ready to retake the White House. Now he can’t even wait.
Because he took the reins in a major way with one unexpected phone call.
President-elect Donald Trump’s first post-election call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin last week struck a firm tone, with Trump cautioning Putin against escalating in Ukraine, according to a new report.
During the Thursday call, Trump highlighted the strength of U.S. military presence in Europe as a deterrent, aiming to dissuade the Kremlin leader from intensifying Russia’s campaign in Ukraine, sources told the Washington Post.
Trump also expressed interest in a follow-up conversation with Putin, as reported by the outlet.
A day earlier, Trump, 78, held a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, with tech billionaire Elon Musk reportedly on the line. Although details of the conversation were sparse, Trump assured Zelensky of his support.
Throughout his 2024 campaign, Trump has confidently asserted that he could end the destructive conflict “within 24 hours,” though he’s kept the specifics of his plan close to the vest.
Vice President-elect JD Vance, however, has hinted at a proposal involving a demilitarized zone between Ukraine and Russia, along with a pledge to keep Ukraine out of NATO — an idea Zelensky has called “radical,” standing firm on his demand for the restoration of Ukraine’s 1991 borders, including Crimea and Donbas.
Both Putin and Zelensky congratulated Trump on his victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. “He behaved, in my opinion, in a very correct way, courageously, like a real man,” Putin said, extending his congratulations.
Putin added that Trump’s expressed desire to “restore relations with Russia, to bring about the end of the Ukrainian crisis” deserved serious attention. Zelensky also praised Trump’s win, stating, “We look forward to an era of a strong United States of America under President Trump’s decisive leadership. We rely on continued strong bipartisan support for Ukraine in the United States.”
When asked about the call with Putin, Trump-Vance Campaign Communications Director Steven Cheung told the New York Post, “We do not comment on private calls between President Trump and other world leaders,” adding that Trump’s historic election has set the stage for renewed American influence globally.
“Leaders have begun the process of developing stronger relationships with the 45th and 47th president,” Cheung said.
Trump’s circle includes advisors with mixed views on Ukraine, ranging from skepticism to strong support for Kyiv.
Former advisor Kellyanne Conway, for instance, is registered as a lobbyist for Ukrainian billionaire Victor Pinchuk, while Donald Trump Jr., who holds considerable sway in his father’s camp, recently took a jab at Zelensky on social media, warning, “You’re 38 days from losing your allowance.”
In a clear signal about his stance on Ukraine policy, Trump indicated Saturday that Ukraine-friendly figures from his first administration, like former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley and ex-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, would not be part of his new team.
Meanwhile, within Ukraine, officials see Trump as somewhat unpredictable, though Zelensky remains hopeful that U.S. support for Kyiv will continue under Trump’s leadership.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Sunday that the Biden administration is committed to sustaining Ukraine support until its term ends.
While he didn’t confirm whether Congress would be pushed to approve another aid package, he noted on Face the Nation that “By Jan. 20, we will have sent the full amount of resources and aid to Ukraine the Congress has authorized.”
He added that Biden still has time “to make the case to the Congress and to the incoming administration that the United States should not walk away from Ukraine.”
Stay tuned to Prudent Politics.
