Former U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin about ending the war in Ukraine, according to a report from the New York Post. If confirmed, it would mark the first known direct communication between Putin and a U.S. leader since early 2022.

Trump, who has repeatedly promised to end the war but has not outlined a specific strategy, described the ongoing conflict as a “bloodbath” and suggested his team has made progress in discussions. However, he declined to provide details on how many times he and Putin had spoken, telling the New York Post he “better not say.” The White House has not commented on the report.

Kremlin Response and Unverified Communications

When asked about Trump’s remarks, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Russia’s TASS state news agency that various communications are taking place through different channels. However, Peskov neither confirmed nor denied the alleged discussions between Trump and Putin.

The ongoing war, which began with Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and escalated into a full-scale invasion in 2022, has led to heavy casualties and territorial shifts. Russia now controls a significant portion of eastern Ukraine, and its forces have recently advanced at their fastest pace since the early months of the invasion.

While Putin has framed the war as a necessary defense of Russian speakers and a countermeasure against NATO expansion, Ukraine and its Western allies view the invasion as an aggressive land grab. Despite Western military aid, Ukraine faces mounting challenges as Russian forces continue to press forward.

Unanswered Questions Surround Trump’s Role

Trump’s comments raise questions about whether he is engaging in diplomacy as a private citizen and how his approach to the conflict, if re-elected, would differ from current U.S. policy. His past statements on the war have been met with skepticism, as he has yet to provide a concrete plan for ending the fighting.