Trump-Putin Call Sparks Market Rally, Raises Diplomatic Eyebrows
In a surprising turn of events, former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in an hourlong phone conversation, primarily discussing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This unexpected dialogue has sent ripples through international markets and diplomatic circles, potentially signaling a shift in U.S.-Russia relations.
The Moscow Exchange index surged nearly 6% following the call, continuing its recovery from December lows. The Russian Trading System index saw an even more dramatic increase of 9.51%. Energy giants Gazprom and Rosneft were among the notable beneficiaries, with their stocks experiencing substantial gains.
The conversation between Trump and Putin has raised eyebrows among European leaders, who expressed concern over their exclusion from potential peace negotiations. European Commission spokesperson Kaja Kallas emphasized the necessity of European involvement in any talks concerning Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was reportedly briefed by Trump on the call’s details. Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s desire for peace and continued collaboration with the United States. Meanwhile, Russian officials and media outlets have expressed approval of the Trump-Putin dialogue.
Trump’s stance on the Ukraine conflict has diverged significantly from the Biden administration’s pro-Ukraine position. The former president has made controversial statements, suggesting Ukraine might become part of Russia and questioning Zelenskyy’s popularity. Recent polls indicate a decline in Ukrainian trust in Zelenskyy compared to earlier surveys.
With Trump’s current favorability rating in the U.S. at 46.6%, his promise of swift peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia has garnered attention. However, the specifics of any potential agreement remain uncertain, given the significant opposition between Moscow and Kyiv’s positions.
As international observers closely monitor these developments, the long-term implications of this unexpected communication between Trump and Putin on global diplomacy and the Ukraine conflict remain to be seen.
