Today's News: Trump and Putin Discuss Ending the Ukraine War

Trump and Putin held a phone call discussing negotiations to end the Ukraine war, with Putin agreeing to "immediately" begin talks. Trump's move sparked concerns among Ukraine and European allies.

Feb 13, 2025

The Newsie Project is an experiment using AI tools to survey contemporary reporting. It attempts to summarize, compare, and contrast the reporting of the major US online news sources.

Photo: Tyler Hicks/The New York Times

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Date: February 13, 2025
Topic: Trump-Putin Talks Shift Ukraine War Dynamics, Raising Concerns Among Allies
Summary: U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call discussing negotiations to end the Ukraine war, with Putin agreeing to "immediately" begin talks. Trump's move sparked concerns among Ukraine and European allies, as it appeared to sideline Kyiv in peace discussions and potentially grant Russia territorial concessions. Trump and Putin discussed historical U.S.-Russia relations, while Trump later assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that peace negotiations were underway. NATO officials expressed unease, warning against a deal that undermines Ukraine's sovereignty. The Trump administration also signaled a shift in U.S. policy, stating Ukraine's NATO membership was "unrealistic," and suggesting Europe take greater responsibility for security in the region.

Sources

Note: The Washington Post does not have reporting on the Ukraine conflict or Trump-Putin talks today.

Key Points

Trump and Putin held a phone call where they agreed to start negotiations to end the Ukraine war.
Trump suggested Ukraine’s NATO membership is “unlikely” and that reclaiming all Russian-occupied territory is unrealistic.
European allies and Ukraine expressed alarm over potential U.S.-Russia peace terms being dictated without Kyiv’s input.
NATO officials reacted cautiously, emphasizing that Ukraine and Europe must be involved in any settlement.
The Trump administration signaled a shift in U.S. policy, focusing on domestic and China-related concerns over European security.

Unique Highlights

CNN reported that Ukrainians reacted with anger and concern, fearing Trump would pressure Ukraine into territorial concessions.
Fox News highlighted Trump's assertion that both Putin and Zelenskyy "want peace" and that negotiations would begin in Munich.
NBC News emphasized that Trump’s actions rehabilitated Putin's image, transforming him from a pariah into a negotiating partner.
The New York Times detailed the economic and diplomatic pressures on Ukraine, including U.S. demands for mineral rights and tariff impositions.
The Wall Street Journal contextualized Trump’s approach as part of a broader rejection of conventional U.S. foreign policy, comparing it to his handling of Gaza.

Contrasting Details

Fox News framed the negotiations as a positive development and focused on Trump’s claim that peace talks would succeed. Other sources (CNN, NBC, NYT) presented concerns that Trump was making premature concessions.
CNN and NBC News highlighted European frustration at being left out of negotiations, while Fox News omitted these concerns.
The New York Times and Wall Street Journal explored the economic dimensions, including U.S. demands for mineral rights, which were absent from other reports.
The Wall Street Journal suggested Trump’s approach mirrors his broader strategy of imposing decisions on weaker allies, while Fox News portrayed it as a straightforward peace effort.

This is an evolving project. Tools, approaches, and output formats will change over time. The Newsie Project does not attempt to provide a definitive capsule of any news story. While the incidence of errors in these summaries is low, and I attempt to spot-check details, AI tools can hallucinate. Please click through and read the articles for details (some may be paywalled).

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