Trump Facilitates Urgent Ceasefire Talks Between Russia and Ukraine Following Putin Phone Call

Donald Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to commence ceasefire negotiations «immediately» on Monday, following a phone call that lasted over two hours with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Separately, Putin indicated his willingness to collaborate with Ukraine on a memorandum aimed at a potential peace agreement, but did not grant Trump the unconditional 30-day ceasefire that was requested.

Trump arranged the call due to mounting frustrations with both Moscow and Kyiv, having pledged during his election campaign to resolve the prolonged three-year conflict within a day.

«Just finished my two-hour conversation with President Vladimir Putin of Russia. I believe it was very productive,» Trump stated on his Truth Social platform. «Russia and Ukraine will swiftly begin discussions for a ceasefire and, more significantly, for an END to the War.»

He remarked that the «tone and spirit of the dialogue were excellent.»

Trump also mentioned that the Vatican would be «very interested» in facilitating the Russia-Ukraine discussions, notably with Pope Leo XIV recently elected as the first American pontiff.

In what appeared to be a significant indication of readiness to negotiate an end to the invasion, which has seen Ukraine allied with the U.S. and the European Union, Putin referred to the call as «very informative and open, and overall, in my view, very beneficial,» when speaking to Russian media afterward.

Putin mentioned that Russia is prepared to «propose and work with the Ukrainian side on a memorandum pertaining to a potential future peace agreement that would outline a variety of positions.»

He also noted that discussions with Kyiv last week in Istanbul had set the world «on the right track» toward conflict resolution but acknowledged that further compromises were necessary.

Reports indicate that Trump communicated with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky prior to his call with Putin.

On social media, Trump declared that he had «informed» Zelensky, along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, and Finland, about the revival of peace conversations immediately following his discussion with Putin.

While Ukraine reported a «record» drone attack from Russia over the weekend, the White House had earlier cautioned that Trump was «weary and frustrated» with the slow progress in peace negotiations.

Vice President J.D. Vance reiterated that Trump’s patience was waning. «There’s a bit of an impasse here,» Vance told reporters after his meetings in Rome with both the pope and Zelensky. «If Russia is unwilling to cooperate, we will eventually have to declare that this is not our conflict.»

Much of Trump’s irritation has been directed at Ukraine, notably following a heated exchange with Zelensky in the Oval Office in February.

Despite not heavily criticizing Putin, Trump has expressed concerns that the Russian president might be delaying meaningful progress.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt indicated that new sanctions could still be enacted if Russia fails to secure a deal.

Leavitt added that Trump remained hopeful about meeting Putin, as he believes face-to-face discussions are the only path to concluding the conflict.

Trump had expressed the possibility of joining the peace negotiations in Istanbul last week if there were a chance to meet with Putin, but the Russian leader did not attend.

Zelensky had reiterated his call for a «full and unconditional» ceasefire ahead of the call.

The Istanbul discussions marked the first direct negotiations between the two parties in three years, with U.S. officials also present. However, the meetings concluded without an agreement for a ceasefire.

In the aftermath, Trump announced his intention to speak with Putin in an effort to halt the «BLOODBATH» in Ukraine, which has ravaged significant portions of the country and displaced millions.

Ukraine’s allies have accused Putin of disregarding requests for a truce and have called for new sanctions against Russia.

On the front lines, the Russian military continued its assaults, claiming that its forces had taken control of two villages in Ukraine’s eastern Sumy and Donetsk regions. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched 112 drones overnight, of which 76 were successfully intercepted.