Trump Describes Talks with Putin as ‘Positive,’ Encourages Mercy for Ukrainian Soldiers

WASHINGTON, March 14 (gct) – U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday that there’s a strong possibility of ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict following what he called “positive” talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday. In his remarks, Trump said he urged Putin to spare Ukrainian troops who are “fully encircled,” likely referencing forces being driven out of Russia’s Kursk region, Ukraine’s sole remaining position on Russian soil.

In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote, “Yesterday, we had very good and positive talks with President Vladimir Putin of Russia, and there’s a strong chance this terrible, deadly war can finally be resolved.” However, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt clarified to reporters that Trump himself did not speak with Putin. Instead, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff met with the Russian leader in Moscow on Thursday night, according to an anonymous source familiar with the situation.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted that Putin used the meeting to send “signals” to Trump via Witkoff, adding that Russia and the U.S. would coordinate a future call between the two leaders after Witkoff briefs Trump. Trump has repeatedly pushed for an immediate ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv to halt the fighting, warning that the ongoing war risks escalating into a global conflict and has already claimed numerous lives.