"Just completed a very good telephone call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine," Trump announced in a post on the Truth Social media platform.
He added that the call "lasted approximately one hour" and that much of the discussion was based on his conversation a day earlier with Russian President Vladimir Putin "in order to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs."
"We are very much on track," Trump wrote.
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'Fantastic phone conversation'
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz said in a statement that Trump and Zelensky "had a fantastic phone conversation."
During the call, Zelensky thanked Trump "for a productive start for the work of the Ukrainian and American teams" in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on March 11, where a meeting of senior officials from both nations "significantly helped in moving toward ending the war," according to the statement.
Zelensky also thanked Trump "for the support of the United States, especially the Javelin missiles that President Trump was first to provide, and his efforts towards peace," Rubio and Waltz said in their statement.
They added that "the leaders agreed Ukraine and America will continue working together to bring about a real end to the war, and that lasting peace under President Trump’s leadership can be achieved."
'A partial ceasefire against energy'
The statement also said that Trump "fully briefed" Zelensky on his conversation with Putin "and the key issues discussed."
It added that Trump and Zelensky "reviewed the situation in Kursk and agreed to share information closely between their defense staffs as the battlefield situation evolved."
Zelensky "asked for additional air defense systems to protect his civilians, particularly Patriot missile systems," while Trump "agreed to work with him to find what was available particularly in Europe," Rubio and Waltz said.
Trump and Zelensky also "agreed on a partial ceasefire against energy," the statement added.
'Technical teams will meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days'
Rubio and Waltz announced that "technical teams will meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to discuss broadening the ceasefire to the Black Sea on the way to a full ceasefire."
They said Trump and Zelensky "agreed this could be the first step toward the full end of the war and ensuring security."
The Ukrainian president was grateful for Trump's "leadership in this effort and reiterated his willingness to adopt a full ceasefire," according to Rubio and Waltz.
'American ownership' of Ukrainian nuclear power plants
They revealed that Trump "also discussed Ukraine’s electrical supply and nuclear power plants" and said that the United States "could be very helpful in running those plants with its electricity and utility expertise."
"American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure and support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure," the statement continued.
Zelensky also thanked Trump "for continuing to push humanitarian concerns, including the exchange of POWs," Rubio and Waltz announced.
'Children who had gone missing from Ukraine'
Meanwhile, Trump asked Zelensky "about the children who had gone missing from Ukraine during the war, including the ones that had been abducted," Rubio and Waltz said, adding that Trump "promised to work closely with both parties to help make sure those children were returned home."
The two presidents "agreed all parties must continue the effort to make a ceasefire work," the statement said, adding that they "instructed their teams to move ahead with the technical issues related to implementing and broadening the partial ceasefire."
The leaders "instructed their advisors and representatives to carry out this work as quickly as possible," while also emphasising that "in further meetings, the teams can agree on all necessary aspects of advancing toward lasting peace and security," the statement concluded.
Zelensky praises 'positive' and 'frank' conversation with Trump
Zelensky said on X that he had "a positive, very substantive and frank conversation" with Trump during which he and the US president "agreed that Ukraine and the United States should continue working together to achieve a real end to the war and lasting peace."
He added: "We believe that together with America, with President Trump, and under American leadership, lasting peace can be achieved this year."
Zelensky confirmed that Trump "shared details of his conversation with Putin and the key issues discussed."
'An unconditional ceasefire on the frontline'
He wrote that "the American side also proposed an unconditional ceasefire on the frontline, and Ukraine accepted this proposal as well."
"We will continue working to make this happen," Zelensky declared. "We believe that such steps are necessary to create the possibility for a comprehensive peace agreement to be prepared during the ceasefire."
Zelensky said he provided "an update on the battlefield situation and the consequences of Russian strikes."
'Ukrainians want peace'
"We also discussed the state of Ukraine’s air defense and the possibility of strengthening it to protect lives," Zelensky wrote, adding that he thanked Trump and the American people for their support.
"I stressed that Ukrainians want peace, which is why Ukraine accepted the proposal for an unconditional ceasefire," he said. "I highlighted the importance of President Trump’s concept of peace through strength. We agreed to maintain constant contact, including at the highest level and through our teams."
Wednesday's phone call between Trump and Zelensky came a day after Trump and Putin agreed to "an energy and infrastructure ceasefire" in the Russia-Ukraine war, according to an announcement by the White House.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, starting the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II.
Wednesday is day 1,119 of Russia's war on Ukraine.
(gs)
Source: IAR, PAP, state.gov