Sources Documenting Historic March 18, 2025, Telephone Meeting of East-West Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Donald Trump of the United States of America

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» Official Website President of Russia     » White House Website President of USA 

Telephone conversation with President of the United States Donald Trump March 18, 2025,  http://en.special.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/76477   Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the United States Donald Trump.  The leaders continued their detailed and frank exchange of views on the situation surrounding Ukraine. Vladimir Putin extended gratitude to Donald Trump for his striving to achieve the noble goal of ending the hostilities and loss of life.  Confirming his fundamental commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict, the President of Russia expressed willingness to thoroughly work out possible solutions in cooperation with the American partners, aimed at reaching a settlement that would be comprehensive, reliable, and lasting, and, naturally, take into account the essential need to eliminate the root causes of the crisis, as well as Russia's legitimate security interests.  Concerning US President's proposal to declare a 30-day ceasefire, the Russian side outlined a number of significant points regarding ensuring effective control over a possible ceasefire along the entire frontline, as well as the need to stop the forced mobilisation in Ukraine and rearming the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It was noted that some serious risks exist pertaining to the intractability of the Kiev regime which had repeatedly sabotaged and violated negotiated agreements. An emphasis was made on barbaric acts of terrorism committed by Ukrainian militants against civilians residing in the Kursk Region.   It was pointed out that a complete cessation of providing Kiev with foreign military aid and intelligence must become the key condition for preventing an escalation of the conflict and making progress towards its resolution through political and diplomatic means.   Referring to Donald Trump's recent appeal to spare the lives of the Ukrainian servicemen surrounded in the Kursk Region, Vladimir Putin confirmed that the Russian side was willing to embrace humanitarian motives and guaranteed that the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine would live and be treated fairly in accordance with Russian legislation and international law in the event of surrender.  During the conversation, Donald Trump put forward a proposal for the parties to mutually refrain from strikes on energy infrastructure for 30 days. Vladimir Putin responded favourably to the proposal and immediately gave the relevant order to the Russian troops.  Just as favourable was the Russian President's response to Donald Trump's suggestion to implement a well-known proposal regarding the safety of navigation in the Black Sea. The leaders agreed to begin talks to further work out specific details of such an agreement.  Vladimir Putin made it known that on March 19, the Russian and Ukrainian sides would carry out an exchange of prisoners, each swapping 175 people. Additionally, as a gesture of goodwill, 23 heavily wounded Ukrainian soldiers currently receiving aid at Russian medical facilities will also be repatriated.  The leaders confirmed their intention to continue efforts aimed at reaching a settlement in Ukraine bilaterally, with due regard in particular to the aforementioned proposals by the US President. For this purpose, a Russian and an American expert task forces are now being formed.  Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump also addressed some other international issues, including the situation in the Middle East and in the Red Sea region. Joint efforts will be made to stabilise the situation in the crisis spots and establish cooperation on nuclear non-proliferation and global security. This will, in turn, contribute to improving the overall ambiance of relations between Russia and the United States. One positive example is the recent vote in the UN on a resolution on the Ukraine conflict, in which the two countries aligned their stances.  The leaders expressed mutual interest in normalising the bilateral ties in light of the special responsibility for ensuring global security and stability borne by both Russia and the United States. Within that context, they addressed a wide range of areas where the two countries could establish cooperation, discussing several ideas aimed at fostering potential ties of mutual interest in economy and energy.  Donald Trump expressed support for Vladimir Putin's idea to hold ice hockey matches in both the United States and Russia between Russian and American players from the NHL and the KHL.  The presidents agreed to stay in touch on all the issues raised.  March 18, 2025 Source President of Russia Official Website News   / March 18, 2025, “Telephone conversation with President of the United States Donald Trump” http://en.special.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/76477

BRIEFINGS & STATEMENTS Outcomes of the United States and Russia Expert Groups On the Black Sea  The White House March 25, 2025 Outcomes of the United States and Russia Expert Groups On the Black Sea in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia March 23-25, 2025   https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2025/03/outcomes-of-the-united-states-and-russia-expert-groups-on-the-black-sea/   In line with presidential-level discussions between President Donald J. Trump and President Vladimir Putin, the United States facilitated bilateral technical-level talks with the Russian delegation March 23-25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  Following those discussions:  The United States and Russia have agreed to ensure safe navigation, eliminate the use of force, and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea.  The United States will help restore Russia’s access to the world market for agricultural and fertilizer exports, lower maritime insurance costs, and enhance access to ports and payment systems for such transactions.  The United States and Russia agreed to develop measures for implementing President Trump’s and President Putin’s agreement to ban strikes against energy facilities of Russia and Ukraine.  The United States and Russia welcome the good offices of third countries with a view toward supporting the implementation of the energy and maritime agreements.  The United States and Russia will continue working toward achieving a durable and lasting peace.  The United States reiterated President Donald J. Trump’s imperative that the killing on both sides of the Russia-Ukraine conflict must stop, as the necessary step toward achieving an enduring peace settlement. To that end, the United States will continue facilitating negotiations between both sides to achieve a peaceful resolution, in line with the agreements made in Riyadh.  The United States expresses gratitude to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his leadership and hospitality in once again facilitating these important discussions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  Source White House Official Website / Briefings & Statements, March 25, 2025, “Outcomes of the United States and Russia Expert Groups On the Black Sea” https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2025/03/outcomes-of-the-united-states-and-russia-expert-groups-on-the-black-sea/  [No notes on or transcript of actual two presidents’ meeting]  ENDXXXXXXXXENDXXXXXXXXXEND

Other Website Records of the March 18, 2025, Presidents Putin and Trump Telephone Conversation

“Full text of Kremlin’s Official Readout of the Telephone Conversation between President Putin and President Trump on March 18, 2025 (in our [Pravda English] translation)”: 

The leaders continued a detailed and frank exchange of views on the situation around Ukraine. Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude to Donald Trump for his efforts to help achieve the noble goal of ending hostilities and human casualties.

Confirming Russia’s fundamental commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict, President Putin stated his readiness to work closely with American partners to explore possible solutions. These solutions must be comprehensive, sustainable, and long-term, while also addressing the root causes of the crisis and respecting Russia’s legitimate security interests.

Regarding President Trump’s initiative for a 30-day ceasefire, the Russian side highlighted several key points: ensuring effective monitoring of any ceasefire along the entire line of contact, halting forced mobilization in Ukraine, and stopping the rearmament of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Serious concerns were also raised about the inability to reach agreements by the Kiev regime, which has repeatedly sabotaged and violated previous agreements. Attention was drawn to the barbaric terrorist crimes committed by Ukrainian militants against civilians in the Kursk region.

It was emphasized that a key condition for preventing further escalation and pursuing a political and diplomatic resolution must be the complete cessation of foreign military aid and intelligence support to Kiev.

In response to Donald Trump’s recent request to spare the lives of surrounded Ukrainian servicemen in the Kursk region, Present Putin confirmed that the Russian side would act on humanitarian grounds. In the event of surrender, Ukrainian soldiers would be guaranteed life and humane treatment in accordance with Russian laws and international norms.

During the conversation, Donald Trump proposed a mutual 30-day halt on strikes against energy infrastructure by both sides of the conflict. Vladimir Putin responded positively to this initiative and immediately issued the corresponding order to the Russian military.

President Putin also responded constructively to Donald Trump’s proposal to implement a well-known initiative on maritime security in the Black Sea. The leaders agreed to begin negotiations to work out the specific details of such an agreement.

Vladimir Putin informed Donald Trump that on March 19, there will be a prisoner exchange between the Russian and Ukrainian sides — 175 for 175. Additionally, as a goodwill gesture, 23 seriously wounded Ukrainian servicemen currently receiving treatment in Russian medical facilities will be released.

The leaders confirmed their intention to continue working toward a resolution of the Ukrainian conflict through bilateral channels, including on the basis of the aforementioned proposals by the U.S. President. To this end, Russian and American expert groups are being established.

Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump also discussed other international issues, including the situation in the Middle East and the Red Sea region. Joint efforts will be made to stabilize these crisis zones, strengthen cooperation on nuclear non-proliferation, and enhance global security — steps that will help improve overall U.S.-Russia relations. One positive example of this cooperation was the recent consensus vote at the United Nations on a resolution concerning the Ukrainian conflict.

Both leaders expressed mutual interest in normalizing bilateral relations, recognizing the special responsibility of Russia and the United States for maintaining global security and stability. A wide range of potential areas for cooperation was discussed, including economic and energy partnerships.

Donald Trump supported Vladimir Putin’s idea of organizing hockey matches in both the U.S. and Russia between Russian and American players from the NHL and KHL.

The presidents agreed to stay in contact on all issues discussed. https://news-pravda.com/world/2025/03/18/1157249.html

Readout The White House, March 18, 2025, “The below is attributable to Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt” 

By U.S. Mission Russia | 18 March 2025 | Topics: News, Political Affairs, President of the United States, Press Releases U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Russia

“President Donald J. Trump’s Call with President Vladimir Putin”
Home | News & Events | President Donald J. Trump’s Call with President Vladimir Putin

Today, President Trump and President Putin spoke about the need for peace and a ceasefire in the Ukraine war. Both leaders agreed this conflict needs to end with a lasting peace. They also stressed the need for improved bilateral relations between the United States and Russia. The blood and treasure that both Ukraine and Russia have been spending in this war would be better spent on the needs of their people.

This conflict should never have started and should have been ended long ago with sincere and good faith peace efforts. The leaders agreed that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace. These negotiations will begin immediately in the Middle East.

The leaders spoke broadly about the Middle East as a region of potential cooperation to prevent future conflicts. They further discussed the need to stop proliferation of strategic weapons and will engage with others to ensure the broadest possible application. The two leaders shared the view that Iran should never be in a position to destroy Israel.

The two leaders agreed that a future with an improved bilateral relationship between the United States and Russia has huge upside. This includes enormous economic deals and geopolitical stability when peace has been achieved. https://ru.usembassy.gov/president-donald-j-trumps-call-with-president-vladimir-putin/

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Variations in Documentation and 

Usage of Terms (the latter highlighted mainly in blue)

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