In a significant diplomatic move, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine will “immediately” begin negotiations aimed at establishing a ceasefire and ultimately ending the ongoing conflict. This development follows a two-hour phone conversation between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump characterized the discussion as “very well,” emphasizing that the conditions for peace must be directly negotiated between the involved parties.
President Putin confirmed readiness to engage with Ukraine on drafting a “memorandum on a possible future peace agreement.” However, he did not respond to calls from the U.S. and European nations for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire. Concurrently, Trump communicated with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who described the situation as “a defining moment” and called for the U.S. to maintain its involvement in the peace process.
Despite Trump’s optimistic stance, specifics regarding the initiation of peace talks or Russia’s willingness to compromise remain unclear. President Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s position advocating for a “full and unconditional ceasefire,” warning of potential increased sanctions if Russia does not comply. Zelensky stressed the importance of Ukrainian inclusion in any decisions, emphasizing that these are “matters of principle” for his nation.
Post-discussion, Trump assured on his social media platform that Russia and Ukraine are set to start negotiations toward a ceasefire and war cessation. He indicated that the negotiation terms are best handled by the parties themselves due to their unique insights into the conflict.
Zelensky insisted that the negotiation process should also involve American and European representatives at appropriate levels. He highlighted the necessity of sustained U.S. engagement, warning that distancing would only benefit Putin.
At a subsequent White House event, Trump clarified that the U.S. remains committed to facilitating talks between Russia and Ukraine. He reiterated his determination not to retreat from this diplomatic role, despite previous frustrations over stalled progress.
Putin, speaking from Sochi, described his conversation with Trump as “frank, informative, and constructive,” and discussed potential for a ceasefire. Russian aide Yury Ushakov noted that while a ceasefire timeline was not explicitly discussed, Trump’s eagerness for rapid agreements was evident.
Following the U.S.-Russian dialogue, Zelensky engaged in further discussions with Trump, along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and leaders from France, Italy, Germany, and Finland. Von der Leyen expressed gratitude for Trump’s efforts, underlining the importance of U.S. participation in peace endeavors.
The prospect of peace talks at the Vatican was also discussed, following a papal proposal which was met positively by involved leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Despite previous offers for in-person negotiations, Putin declined a face-to-face meeting proposed by Zelensky in Turkey. Kyiv has expressed skepticism of Putin’s peace declarations, citing recent extensive drone attacks as evidence of continued aggression.
The conflict, characterized by intermittent ceasefires, remains fraught with tension as both sides accuse each other of numerous violations. The war, initiated by Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, continues to pose significant humanitarian and geopolitical challenges.”
