Trump and Putin Hold Phone Call to Discuss Key Issues

A nuclear power station. Public domain image.

Phone Call Details

Donald Trump has started a phone call with Vladimir Putin, according to a senior White House official.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino tweeted that Trump is “currently” speaking with Putin, and the call began at 10:00 EDT (14:00 GMT).

“The call is going well, and still in progress,” he said.

Just before Scavino’s tweet, White House staff were unsure if the call had actually started.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is expected to give an update after the call ends.

Background and Context

Donald Trump’s phone call with Vladimir Putin is currently happening and is “going well,” according to White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino.

This is the second time the two leaders have talked since Trump returned to office in January.

Trump has said he plans to talk with Putin about “land,” “power plants,” and “dividing up certain assets.”

Key Issues on the Agenda

Earlier today, Putin criticized Western sanctions against Russia during a meeting with business leaders in Moscow.

Of particular interest is discussion about the safety of a nuclear power plant that is in Russian hands. The meltdown of a power plant at Chernobyl in 1986 was the world’s greatest human-caused environmental disaster.

The BBC reports that it is really difficult to know how advanced negotiations are.

Negotiation Progress

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in Jeddah last week his meeting with the Ukrainians was not at the level of “sitting in a room drawing lines on a map”, rather it was to get a general sense of what concessions were “in the realm of the possible”, before gauging Russian intentions.

And yet Trump’s spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said yesterday they were on the on “10th yard line” of a deal, a metaphor from American football that means that the major hurdles have been overcome and a deal is close.

Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff wouldn’t give details about the nature of progress over the weekend. Yet the president himself has spoken in terms of apparent specifics being discussed with Moscow – “land” and “power plants” – and says there’s a very good chance of reaching a deal.

Source: BBC.

Conclusion

The phone call between Trump and Putin is a significant development in the ongoing negotiations between the two leaders. While the exact details of the call are not yet clear, it is evident that both sides are working towards a deal. The safety of the nuclear power plant and the division of assets are key issues on the agenda. As the negotiations progress, the world will be watching closely to see what agreements are reached.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the phone call between Trump and Putin?

The purpose of the phone call is to discuss key issues, including the safety of a nuclear power plant and the division of assets.

What is the current status of the negotiations?

The negotiations are ongoing, and both sides are working towards a deal. However, the exact details of the call are not yet clear.

What are the key issues on the agenda?

The key issues on the agenda include the safety of a nuclear power plant, the division of assets, and the lifting of Western sanctions against Russia.