US President Donald Trump is scheduled to hold a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, continuing his long-standing efforts to bring an end to the war that began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
During his election campaign, Trump promised to resolve the conflict within a day of assuming office. However, his diplomatic efforts have yet to make significant headway.
Last week, delegations from Russia and Ukraine held direct negotiations in Istanbul for the first time in nearly three years, but the talks concluded without any agreement on a ceasefire. The discussions turned contentious, with Ukraine accusing Russia of sending a “dummy” team of low-level officials.
Following the talks, Trump announced he would call the Russian leader in an attempt to stop the ongoing “bloodbath” in Ukraine, which has devastated much of the country and displaced millions.
Trump also revealed plans to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO officials, expressing hope that a “ceasefire will take place, and this very violent war… will end.”
Since taking office in January, Trump has consistently expressed a desire to see the conflict resolved and has recently supported calls for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire. He has largely avoided direct criticism of Putin, instead placing more pressure on Ukraine.
Both Moscow and Washington have previously acknowledged the importance of a meeting between Trump and Putin to address the conflict. Trump has argued that “nothing’s going to happen” until a face-to-face meeting with Putin takes place.
Sanctions on the Table
During last week’s talks in Istanbul—also attended by U.S. officials—Russia and Ukraine agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners each and discussed potential truce proposals, though no firm commitments were made.
Ukraine’s Defence Minister and lead negotiator, Rustem Umerov, stated that the “next step” would be a direct meeting between Putin and Zelensky. Russia responded by saying it was open to such a meeting, but only after certain conditions are met through prior agreements.
In the wake of the talks, Ukraine’s western allies accused Putin of dismissing ceasefire appeals and began pushing for new sanctions against Russia.
Trump held a call with the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, and Italy on Sunday. According to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office, “Looking ahead to President Trump’s call with President Putin tomorrow, the leaders discussed the need for an unconditional ceasefire and for President Putin to take peace talks seriously.” They also warned that sanctions could follow if Russia failed to engage meaningfully.
Meanwhile, Zelensky met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance after Pope Leo’s inaugural mass at the Vatican on Sunday. The two discussed the Istanbul negotiations, sanctions, defence collaboration, and a future prisoner exchange.
A senior Ukrainian official told AFP that preparations for Monday’s call between Trump and Putin were also part of the discussion.
Clashes and Justifications
Sunday marked the first meeting between Zelensky and Vance since their contentious exchange at the White House in February, during which Vance accused Zelensky of being “disrespectful” towards Trump. At the time, Trump had told the Ukrainian leader that he had no “cards” to play in talks with Russia and should show more gratitude.
On the battlefield, Ukraine reported a record drone assault overnight by Russia, hitting multiple areas, including Kyiv, where a woman was killed. Another fatality occurred in the southeastern Kherson region, where infrastructure and private property were struck.
In a Sunday interview with Russian state media, Putin said that Moscow’s goal was to “eliminate the causes that triggered this crisis, create the conditions for a lasting peace and guarantee Russia’s security,” though he did not provide further details.
Moscow’s references to the “root causes” of the war often include its grievances over NATO expansion, protecting Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine, and stopping Ukraine’s move toward Western alliances. However, Kyiv and its allies dismiss these claims as excuses for what they describe as an imperialist land grab.
What you should know
President Trump is ramping up diplomatic pressure in an effort to end the Russia-Ukraine war, with a crucial call to President Putin scheduled.
Despite his bold promises, progress has been limited, and the international community remains skeptical about the likelihood of a ceasefire anytime soon.
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