In a significant diplomatic development, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Monday that Russia and Ukraine will begin immediate negotiations aimed at achieving a ceasefire and ending the ongoing war. The announcement followed a two-hour phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which Trump described as having an “excellent” tone and spirit.
“Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a ceasefire and, more importantly, an end to the war,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. He said the conditions for the ceasefire would be negotiated directly by both countries, as “they know details of a negotiation that nobody else would be aware of.”
Following his conversation with Putin, Trump held a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb. He informed them of the outcome and said the Vatican, represented by the Pope, had expressed willingness to host the negotiations.
President Trump emphasized the economic benefits of peace, saying both Russia and Ukraine could benefit significantly from post-war trade and rebuilding opportunities. “There is a tremendous opportunity for Russia to create massive amounts of jobs and wealth… Likewise, Ukraine can be a great beneficiary in the process of rebuilding its country,” he said.
Von der Leyen confirmed the call and expressed appreciation for Trump’s involvement. “I want to thank President Trump for his tireless efforts to bring a ceasefire to Ukraine. It’s important that the US stays engaged,” she wrote on social media.
While the Kremlin acknowledged the call and the possibility of talks, officials there reportedly stated that any ceasefire agreement would depend on the fulfilment of specific, undisclosed conditions. Ukraine has not issued a formal statement yet.
As talks begin, international attention is focused on whether this renewed diplomatic push can lead to a sustainable peace in Eastern Europe.
