Two-Hour Call with Putin Signals Trump’s Push for Ukraine Resolution

1. 83

   Sharlee01posted 2 days ago

   
   
   
   On October 16, 2025, I followed closely as President Donald Trump held a two-hour phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin—a conversation that signals a potentially major step in U.S.-Russia diplomacy amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. Following the call, Trump announced he plans to meet Putin in Budapest, Hungary, hosted by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, to continue discussions aimed at resolving the conflict.
   
   Leading up to this, Trump has been actively working to apply pressure on Russia to come to the negotiating table. One of his strategies has been to target Russia’s energy revenues, particularly by pressuring nations like India to reduce or stop buying Russian oil. Earlier this year, he imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods in response to their continued purchase of discounted Russian oil, making it clear that economic consequences would follow if Russia’s war efforts were indirectly supported.
   
   This is part of a broader strategy to isolate Russia economically and diplomatically, creating leverage that could compel Putin to engage seriously in negotiations. From my perspective, these moves reflect a deliberate, multi-pronged approach: using international pressure and economic tools to open a pathway toward a resolution in Ukraine. The upcoming Budapest meeting is likely to be a critical moment to see whether this strategy bears fruit and whether Russia will finally respond to sustained pressure.

   replyreport
2. 72

   Ken Burgessposted 2 days ago

   It will be interesting to see where it goes...
   
   I think Russia and China are in a far deeper alliance than we want to believe.
   
   I think China is fighting the US through (proxy) the war in Ukraine and the war in the Middle East (Iran and by extension the terrorist groups it funds).
   
   I think the WORST thing ever done for American interests and America's wellbeing was the Biden Administration... when they severed Russia's ties to the EU it not only forced Russia into bed with China... but it greatly weakened the EU's economy... the EU was fast becoming irrelevant on the world stage as it was... this fast forwarded the process by 20 years.
   
   It fast forwarded BRICS by at least a dozen... what would have been a far slower more gradual shift toward China as the world's most dominant global power, became a torrent of nations lining up to join them and be free of the Dollar's control.
   
   When the US seized Russia's assets and demanded the world Sanction it... that was the turning point and America's influence took a massive hit as nations like China and India ignored the Biden Administration's feeble ineffective threats and continued to trade with Russia.

   replyreport
   1. 83

      Sharlee01posted 2 days agoin reply to this

      Ken,  I think your theory is not only plausible but, as always, well-grounded in the reality of how global power shifts have accelerated over the past few years. The Biden administration’s handling of Russia absolutely pushed Moscow closer to Beijing, something many geopolitical analysts warned about long before it happened. What was once a cautious, competitive relationship between Russia and China has evolved into a strategic alliance built around shared opposition to U.S. dominance.
      
      When the U.S. and EU froze Russian assets and tried to isolate Moscow, it didn’t cripple Russia; it forced them to innovate economically and strengthen ties with nations that were already seeking to move away from the dollar. The result has been a surge in bilateral trade between Russia and China, record levels of energy exports paid in yuan, and a BRICS bloc that’s now openly challenging Western financial systems. Even Saudi Arabia and India have started conducting energy trades outside the dollar, something unimaginable a decade ago.
      
      In my view, this was a predictable geopolitical consequence of short-sighted policy. Rather than weakening America’s adversaries, it fractured our influence and emboldened nations that had already begun exploring a post-American order. Trump seems to understand this dynamic, and his willingness to talk directly with Putin, especially at a time when tensions are high and alliances are shifting, shows he’s thinking long-term about restoring balance. That’s what real diplomacy looks like.
      
      It seems we’re once again placing our hopes, and I can’t speak for everyone, but trusting Trump to do what he does best: solve problems. We already had plenty of long-standing issues to fix, but in my view, Biden has piled even more onto the heap. I am keeping the faith...

      replyreport
      1. 72

         Ken Burgessposted 2 days agoin reply to this

         Well said.
         
         And yes, whether we like it or not, the entire nation is going to swim... or sink  to painfully low points we have not experienced in over 75 years... on how successful the Trump Administration is in navigating the course ahead.
         
         Those hoping for the Trump Administration to fail will feel the pain as much, if not more, than you or I... they are hoping for their own misery and suffering.

         replyreport
3. 60

   Willowarborposted 47 hours ago

   I’m confused. Is Trump supposed to be president of the United States or vice president of Russia?
   
   Since when does an American president need to ask for Putin’s permission to do anything??
   
   Trump:" I did actually say to Putin, would you mind if I gave a couple thousand tomahawks to Ukraine? He did not like the idea."
   
   Trump is an idiot
   
   https://x.com/RpsAgainstTrump/status/19 … 4470575313

   replyreport
4. 60

   Willowarborposted 46 hours ago

   Less than a month ago, Trump said Ukraine could potentially win all of its territory back.
   
   After his meeting with Zelensky, Trump says that Russia and Ukraine should end the war along its current lines. "Let both claim Victory, let History decide!" ....
   
   Wow.... What a phone call will do

   replyreport
5. 60

   Willowarborposted 44 hours ago

   Trump: "To the best of my knowledge we've never had a president that solved one war."
   
   To the best of my knowledge we’ve never had a president who is this stupid...
   
   https://x.com/atrupar/status/1979246986617328122

   replyreport
6. 60

   Willowarborposted 44 hours ago

   Does anyone think pro-Ukraine Republicans like John Thune, Lindsey Graham, Roger Wicker and many others will finally admit that Trump never had any intention of helping Ukraine and is Putin’s useful idiot? Probably not, because they are cowards...
   
   
   

   replyreport
   1. 72

      Ken Burgessposted 29 hours agoin reply to this

      MY GAWWWD!!!  WHAT A HORRIBLE POST BY TRUMP!!!
      
      What an unhinged fascist warmongering lunatic he is!  Posts like that will lead us to war!

      replyreport
      1. 83

         Sharlee01posted 26 hours agoin reply to this

         Ken, yes — I mean, did he not learn his lesson poking into the Israel/Gaza war? Yeah, who needed those remaining hostages released anyway? Can't he just keep his nose out of everything, you know, like many of our past presidents?
         
         My God, it is clear Trump has pushed people over the edge.

         replyreport
      2. 60

         Willowarborposted 26 hours agoin reply to this

         He's flip flops continuously ...
         
         Less than a month ago, Trump said Ukraine could potentially win all of its territory back.
         
         After his meeting with Zelensky, Trump says that Russia and Ukraine should end the war along its current lines. "Let both claim Victory, let History decide!" ....
         
         Sorry, Trump is a demented  fool who thinks that a president has never settled a war...

         replyreport
         1. 72

            Ken Burgessposted 20 hours agoin reply to this

            Here... Grok asked me to give you this:
            
            
            
            

            replyreport
            1. 85

               GA Andersonposted 16 hours agoin reply to this

               Ask ChatGPT and Gemini the same prompt.
               
               GA

               replyreport
               1. 72

                  Ken Burgessposted 6 hours agoin reply to this

                  Whatarya trying to say?

                  replyreport
                  1. 85

                     GA Andersonposted 4 hours agoin reply to this

                     Have they gotten past their 'multicultural Vikings' stage?
                     
                     How would they interpret the same prompt you gave Grok?
                     
                     They might be spot on, or they may show a Freudian slip.
                     
                     GA

                     replyreport