Fact Check: "During the call, Trump pressed Putin to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, which he described as a conversation that lasted about an hour."
What We Know
On May 19, 2025, former President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in a lengthy phone call that reportedly lasted more than two hours. The primary focus of this conversation included discussions about the ongoing war in Ukraine, among other geopolitical issues (NPR). According to Trump, he pressed Putin to end the conflict in Ukraine, which he characterized as a significant point of discussion during the call (AP News).
While Trump stated that the conversation was constructive and expressed optimism about future negotiations, there was no immediate agreement on a ceasefire from Putin, who indicated that Russia was willing to engage in talks but did not commit to halting military actions (BBC, Reuters).
Analysis
The claim that Trump pressed Putin to end the war in Ukraine is supported by Trump's own statements following the call, where he emphasized the need for peace and indicated that he conveyed this message directly to Putin (NPR). However, the assertion that the conversation lasted "about an hour" is misleading. Reports indicate that the call actually extended beyond two hours, which is significantly longer than the duration implied in the claim (AP News, Washington Post).
Furthermore, while Trump described the tone of the conversation as positive and expressed hope for future negotiations, the lack of a concrete agreement or immediate action from Putin suggests that the effectiveness of Trump's pressure remains uncertain. The Kremlin's response indicated a willingness to discuss peace but did not reflect a commitment to cease hostilities (Reuters, CBS News).
The sources used for this analysis are generally credible, including established news organizations like NPR, AP News, and BBC. However, Trump's own social media posts and statements should be interpreted with caution, as they may reflect his personal narrative rather than an objective account of the conversation's outcomes.
Conclusion
The claim is Partially True. While it accurately states that Trump pressed Putin regarding the war in Ukraine during a lengthy phone call, it misrepresents the duration of the conversation as "about an hour" when it actually lasted over two hours. Additionally, while Trump expressed optimism about peace talks, there was no immediate agreement on a ceasefire, which complicates the effectiveness of his pressure on Putin.
Sources
- Trump and Putin talk over 2 hours but no Russia-Ukraine ceasefire
- Putin and Trump discussed Middle East tensions, Ukraine talks on phone
- Trump's call with Putin exposes shifting ground on Ukraine
- What to know about the Trump-Putin call on Ukraine
- Trump, after call with Putin, says Russia and Ukraine will start talks
- Putin and Trump discussed Middle East tensions, Ukraine war in phone call
- Trump and Putin hold call, discuss Iran-Israel tensions, Ukraine war
- Russia Ukraine War Donald Trump Details 75-Min Call With Vladimir Putin
