U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday as part of renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war triggered by Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Trump, who pledged during his presidential campaign to stop the conflict within 24 hours of taking office, has so far seen limited success in turning that promise into reality. His administration has pushed for an immediate ceasefire, but progress has been slow.
Last week, delegations from Russia and Ukraine met for direct peace talks in Istanbul for the first time in nearly three years. The discussions, which included American observers, ended without any concrete agreement. Ukraine accused Russia of sending a delegation of low-level officials lacking the authority to negotiate meaningfully.
Following the talks, Trump announced plans to speak by phone with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He expressed hope for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire to halt what he described as a “bloodbath” that has devastated Ukraine and displaced millions.
“The goal is peace — a ceasefire must happen,” Trump said, adding that he would also be in contact with NATO leaders to explore broader diplomatic options.
Despite his push for peace, Trump has faced criticism for his hands-off approach to Moscow, often refraining from openly condemning Putin. He has insisted that face-to-face dialogue with the Russian leader is essential, saying, “Nothing’s going to happen until I sit down with Putin.”
Stalled Talks, Mounting Pressure
At the Istanbul talks, both sides agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners and floated ideas for a potential ceasefire. However, no commitments were made. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, who led Kyiv’s delegation, said the next logical step would be a meeting between Putin and Zelensky. The Kremlin responded cautiously, stating such a summit could only occur after “substantive progress” in negotiations.
Western leaders have since increased pressure on Moscow, accusing it of deliberately stalling the peace process. The heads of Britain, France, Germany, and Italy spoke with Trump on Sunday ahead of his planned call with Putin.
“The leaders agreed on the urgent need for an unconditional ceasefire and stressed that President Putin must take the peace process seriously,” said a spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. They also discussed potential new sanctions against Russia if it fails to engage constructively.
Zelensky raised similar concerns during a meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance in Rome, following Pope Leo’s inaugural mass at the Vatican. In a Telegram post, Zelensky said they discussed sanctions, battlefield developments, prisoner exchanges, and defence cooperation.
A senior official from the Ukrainian president’s office confirmed that preparations were underway for Trump’s call with Putin, emphasizing the importance of the moment.
Tensions Simmer Amid Fresh Attacks
The planned high-level talks come amid renewed violence in Ukraine. On Sunday, Kyiv reported a record number of Russian drone attacks overnight. A woman was killed in the capital, while in Kherson, another civilian died after a railway station and residential areas were bombed.
Meanwhile, in an interview aired on Russian state TV, Putin reiterated Moscow’s aim to address what it calls the “root causes” of the conflict. He claimed Russia seeks to “eliminate the causes of the crisis, create conditions for lasting peace, and guarantee our national security,” without offering specifics.
Russia has long justified its invasion by citing grievances such as NATO’s expansion, the need to protect Russian speakers in Ukraine, and efforts to “de-Nazify” and demilitarise the country. Kyiv and Western governments, however, have dismissed these claims as pretexts for an imperial-style land grab.
With casualties rising and diplomatic solutions still elusive, all eyes are on Monday’s Trump-Putin call — a conversation many hope could mark a turning point in the long and brutal war.
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