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Snapshot 11:Thu, Jul 3, 2025 8:04:47 PM GMT last edited by Nick

Trump, Putin Hold Phone Call on Ukraine and the Middle East

Trump, Putin Hold Phone Call on Ukraine and the Middle East

Above: Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at the New Ideas For New Times Forum in Moscow, Russia on July 3, 2025. Image copyright: Contributor/Getty Images

The Spin

President Trump is making smart, courageous moves to bring peace — even if that means pausing some weapons shipments to Ukraine to open space for diplomacy. Vladimir Putin respects that kind of leadership. Their call shows dialogue is alive, and that matters. The U.S. and Russia can accomplish a lot — from Ukraine to the Middle East — if both sides stay focused on ending the war, not prolonging it.

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There'sDuring atheir 50%call, chanceTrump therepushed willfor be a bilateralquick ceasefire orwhile peacePutin agreementmade betweenclear Russia andwon’t Ukraineabandon byits Marchwar 2026,goals. accordingYet Trump’s decision to pause key weapons shipments to Ukraine — including air defenses and artillery — hands Moscow a strategic edge. It reinforces Putin's belief that the MetaculusWest predictionis communitylosing resolve while undermining Trump's claim to lead peace efforts from a position of strength.

Metaculus Prediction

There's a 50% chance there will be a bilateral ceasefire or peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine by March 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.



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