Trump and Putin discussed a potential 9-for-9 prisoner exchange during a lengthy call that may mark a turning point in both the Ukraine war and U.S.-Russia relations.
At a Glance
- Trump and Putin held a two-hour call discussing a 9-for-9 prisoner swap
- Kremlin adviser confirmed the proposal but gave no timetable
- Ceasefire in Ukraine was also discussed, but drone strikes followed the call
- Trump said negotiations could start “immediately” if both sides agree
- Putin described the call as “frank” and “useful,” suggesting diplomatic potential
Prisoner Swap and Its Stakes
A two-hour phone call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin has revived prospects for a significant prisoner exchange, with each country potentially releasing nine detainees. The call, confirmed by Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov, revealed that both leaders discussed a plan involving nine Americans imprisoned in Russia and nine Russians held in the U.S., although no identities or timelines were shared, according to a report by Fox News.
This initiative follows the April release of Russian-American dual national Ksenia Karelina, and may indicate renewed diplomatic maneuvering ahead of the 2024 election. The State Department has not officially commented, but sources say Trump initiated the discussion, which signals his continued personal involvement in high-level diplomacy, as noted by The New York Times.
Watch a report: Trump, Putin Discuss Prisoner Swap and Ceasefire.
A Fragile Ceasefire Path
Beyond the prisoner swap, Trump and Putin spent much of the conversation on the war in Ukraine. Trump publicly stated on social media that “negotiations for a ceasefire could begin immediately,” emphasizing his belief that a resolution is possible if both Kyiv and Moscow are willing to compromise. Putin, echoing similar sentiments, described the conversation as “frank and useful,” yet cautioned that any peace deal must include mutually acceptable terms, as reported by Yahoo News.
However, the optimism was undercut just hours later when Russia launched over 100 drones across Ukraine, with air defenses claiming to intercept 93 of them. According to Ukraine’s Air Force, four regions were targeted in the strike, undermining hopes for immediate de-escalation.
Political and Global Implications
This call represents the most substantial dialogue between U.S. and Russian leadership since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Trump’s critics argue that informal diplomacy may conflict with official U.S. foreign policy, while supporters say his efforts could open backchannels that bypass the current gridlock in Washington.
The international community remains skeptical. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reiterated that peace cannot come at the cost of territorial concessions, a stance echoed by European leaders wary of any rushed agreement. Still, the possibility of a negotiated prisoner swap is seen as a humanitarian win regardless of broader tensions.
While both Trump and Putin praised the tone of the call, real progress will depend on follow-up negotiations involving the State Department and Russia’s Foreign Ministry. Until then, the public and press will watch closely to see whether words become actions—and whether eighteen lives could be the first sign of a new phase in U.S.-Russia relations.
