President Donald Trump has directed his national security team to begin negotiations to end the war in Ukraine following a call with Russian president Vladimir Putin. Trump expressed confidence in the success of the negotiations and emphasized the need to end the war to prevent further loss of life. The release of an American teacher by the Kremlin and another American citizen by Belarus is seen as a positive step towards resolving the conflict. Trump plans to inform Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky about the conversation with Putin.