Trump Announces Immediate Ceasefire Talks for Russia-Ukraine After Putin Call

Following a two-hour phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that Russia and Ukraine would promptly initiate negotiations aimed at securing a ceasefire. Speaking at the White House, Trump indicated that the dialogue marked “some progress” in efforts to halt the ongoing conflict. He noted that the call, which he described as “excellent,” built on recent face-to-face discussions between Moscow and Kyiv in Turkey, the first such meeting since March 2022.

Trump also held separate discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and leaders from France, Germany, Italy, and Finland to update them on the developments. Posts on X reflected varied sentiments, with some users cautiously optimistic about the talks, while others expressed skepticism about their potential outcomes.

The Kremlin, however, tempered expectations, stating that no specific timeline for a ceasefire had been agreed upon. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, cited by Russian state news agencies, described the negotiations as “complex contacts” focused on drafting a unified peace and ceasefire memorandum. Additionally, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov revealed that Trump and Putin discussed a potential prisoner swap involving nine Russians and nine Americans, though ceasefire timelines were not addressed.

Trump suggested the Vatican as a possible venue for future peace talks but emphasized that the U.S. could step back if progress stalls, stating, “I’m just going to back away.” European leaders and Ukraine have consistently urged Russia to commit to an immediate ceasefire, with Trump previously advocating for a 30-day truce. Despite these efforts, Putin has not agreed to a temporary halt in hostilities, which noted his refusal to support the U.S.-proposed 30-day unconditional ceasefire that Ukraine had accepted.