Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin were on the phone for nearly two and a half hours to talk about the war in Ukraine. At the end of the call, the president announced that Moscow and Kyiv will “immediately” begin negotiations for a ceasefire and an end to the conflict.
Speaking to reporters in the White House Rose Garden with First Lady Melania next to him, at the signing of the measure against revenge porn, Trump said that some progress had been made in the long talk with Putin, but added nothing more. He did, however, seem optimistic that an agreement can be found.
Earlier in a post on Truth Social, he had described the conversation as “very positive,” noting that the tone and spirit of the meeting “were excellent” and that “ Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a Ceasefire and, more importantly, an END to the War. The conditions for that will be negotiated between the two parties, as it can only be, because they know details of a negotiation that nobody else would be aware of.”
However, despite the announcement of imminent negotiations, no concrete agreement on a ceasefire has yet been reached, and the Kremlin has denied that any specific timeframe has been set for the talks to begin.
Trump suggested that future peace talks could take place at the Vatican, with the mediation of Pope Leo XIV. Trump said he immediately informed European leaders of the content of the phone call. “The Vatican, represented by the Pope, said it was very interested in hosting the negotiations. Let the process begin!” added Trump on Truth Social, which shortly before had invited the Pontiff to the White House.
The invitation was brought in person by the vice president, who was received at the Vatican today. JD Vance hinted that Donald Trump might offer economic incentives to Vladimir Putin in exchange for concessions on Ukraine in an effort to revive peace talks. “There are many economic benefits in rapprochement between Russia and the rest of the world, but you’re not going to get them if you keep killing innocents,” Vance said.
He went on to reiterate that the United States is ready to withdraw from the role of mediator if there is no concrete progress: “We are aware that there is a certain impasse and I think the president will say to Putin: are you serious? Do you really want to negotiate?” According to the vice president, the Kremlin leader has created an intractable situation: he cannot continue a war indefinitely and at the same time he has to save face with his supporters.
Today’s phone call with Putin marks the third known time the two leaders have spoken on the phone since Trump took office in January, and comes at a time when the White House is increasingly frustrated by the Russian president’s refusal to reach a peace deal with Ukraine.
Russia wants “to do largescale TRADE with the United States when this catastrophic ‘bloodbath’ is over, and I agree,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “There is a tremendous opportunity for Russia to create massive amounts of jobs and wealth. Its potential is UNLIMITED. Likewise, Ukraine can be a great beneficiary on Trade, in the process of rebuilding its Country.”
The president also wrote that he spoke with Ukrainian President Zelensky soon after he finished speaking with Putin to inform him of the lengthy conversation. From Kyiv, during a meeting with reporters, Zelensky said he asked Trump not to make any decisions on Ukraine “without us” before the U.S. president spoke with the Kremlin chief. “These are matters of principle for us and very important.”
Putin, according to the Washington Post, reportedly confirmed Russia’s willingness to work on a “memorandum” for a potential ceasefire, but reiterated his conditions, including Ukraine’s renunciation of NATO membership and cession of occupied territories. He called the conversation with Trump “frank and helpful,” but did not accept Trump’s proposal for an immediate 30-day ceasefire supported by Ukrainian President Zelensky.
However, U.S. officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have expressed skepticism about Putin’s intentions, pointing out that Russia continues military operations, including a massive drone strike over the weekend.
The international community is closely watching these developments, concerned that Trump’s approach may favor Russia and weaken Ukraine’s position in negotiations.
