Trump calls on Putin to refrain from escalating the conflict in Ukraine.

According to a person briefed on the discussion, President-elect Trump advised Russian leader Vladimir Putin not to intensify the conflict in Ukraine during their conversation on Thursday.

Why it matters Trump has stated publicly that he will bring an end to the war in Ukraine and negotiate a peace agreement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky by using his personal connections with Putin.

Driving the news: According to the source, Trump told Putin, in essence, "Don't escalate because I have weapons, too."

The president-elect informed Zelensky that the call had occurred, but neither Trump nor Putin made it public.
The call and Trump's message to Putin were originally reported by the Washington Post.
What they're saying: Trump spokeswoman Steven Cheung told Axios The president-elect's private phone conversations with other international leaders are not discussed by his team.

"President Trump won a historic election decisively and leaders from around the world know America will return to prominence on the world stage," he stated.
"That is why leaders have begun the process of developing stronger relationships with the 45th and 47th President because he represents global peace and stability."
Zoom in: Elon Musk joined Trump's Wednesday discussion with Zelensky, and according to sources, the Ukrainian leader seemed at least a little comforted by what he heard from the president-elect.
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NATO allies are worried about what Trump's second term could entail for Kiev because he has previously questioned military aid to Ukraine, but sources claimed his talk with Zelensky did well.
According to three people with knowledge of the conversation, Zelensky met with Trump in New York in September to explore a potential diplomatic route to end the war with Russia, during which the Republican promised not to leave Ukraine.

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