U.S. President Donald Trump announced he will speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Monday in a push to broker a ceasefire in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. This follows face-to-face negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Turkey—marking the first such meeting since March 2022—where Moscow introduced new demands.
A senior Ukrainian official revealed Russia now insists Ukraine withdraw troops from Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Luhansk before any ceasefire agreement. Trump, posting on Truth Social, stated his calls would focus on ending the "bloodbath" claiming over 5,000 soldiers weekly and on discussing trade. He expressed hope that the talks would result in a ceasefire and an end to a war he believes “should never have happened.”
While the Kremlin confirmed preparations for Trump’s call with Putin, it declined to comment on specific demands. The recent talks in Turkey yielded a prisoner exchange agreement—1,000 POWs from each side—but no broader breakthrough.
Ukrainian President Zelenskiy condemned a Russian drone strike that killed nine civilians in Sumy, urging stronger international sanctions against Moscow. Meanwhile, Russian forces claimed further gains in eastern Ukraine and insisted they targeted military sites, not civilians.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, signaling openness to U.S.-led peace efforts. Rubio, in a CBS interview, noted Russia’s evolving ceasefire conditions and suggested the Vatican could host future peace talks.
Ukraine and its allies, including the U.S. and EU, continue to call for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire. EU leaders are also preparing new sanctions against Russia, though the effectiveness of further measures remains uncertain. Trump’s direct involvement adds complexity to the diplomatic landscape, as both sides weigh his influence.