Trump told the media that he spoke with Putin over the phone.

He stated this in an interview with the New York Post while aboard a plane.

He did not provide a direct answer regarding the number of conversations he had with Putin. “I’d rather not say”, Trump declared. He also did not specify when they last communicated.

The U.S. President claims that Putin is "concerned" about the killings on the battlefield. “He wants people to stop dying”, he believes.

Trump reiterated that a full-scale war "would never have happened" if he had been president in 2022.

“I have always had good relations with Putin”, the politician added.

He assured that he already has a concrete plan for ending the war.

Additionally, Trump emphasized that he wants to reach an agreement with President Volodymyr Zelensky for $500 million in exchange for access to rare earth minerals and gas in Ukraine, in return for security guarantees in any potential peace settlement.

Updated at 10:26. The spokesperson for the Russian leader, Dmitry Peskov, could not confirm or deny the information regarding the conversation between Putin and Trump.

Recall that earlier, Donald Trump stated that he intends to meet with Putin "very soon" after taking office on January 20. Reports from Switzerland and Serbia indicated their readiness to organize the meeting.

The team of the newly elected U.S. president was also preparing for a phone call with the Russian leader. Trump mentioned that this conversation could lead to “something significant.”

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Russian leader, Dmitry Peskov, stated that Putin is already ready to contact Trump.