Morning Note

Donald Trump held a two-hour one-on-one phone call with Vladimir Putin on Monday, using the discussion to push for an end to the Russian president’s war with Ukraine.

Both leaders described the dialogue in positive terms. Putin called it "frank,” “useful,” and declared that "a ceasefire with Ukraine is possible," while Trump released a Truth Social statement saying it went “very well,” had “excellent” tone and spirit, and could lead to Russia having “largescale TRADE with the United States when this catastrophic ‘bloodbath’ is over.” He added that Pope Leo XIV could host negotiations in Vatican City.

Liberal and neocon anti-Russia radicals are sure to oppose Washington normalizing its relationship with Moscow, preferring a permanent embrace of Biden-era hostilities that helped neither country but made D.C. ideologues feel good about their career choices. Their years-long Kremlin obsessions blind them to the reality that the world’s two largest nuclear powers senselessly hating each other is not really a good thing, let alone to the fact that Trump could use his ability to strengthen economic ties to finally secure peace. That should be everyone’s goal.

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