In a surprising development, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Monday that Russia and Ukraine will “immediately start negotiations” toward a ceasefire, aiming to end their three-year conflict. The announcement came after Trump’s conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump revealed that he relayed the plan for talks to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and leaders of the European Union, including France, Italy, Germany, and Finland, during a group call following his session with Putin.
After speaking with Trump, Putin expressed optimism about the peace efforts. “Efforts to end the conflict are generally on the right track,” he told reporters near the Black Sea resort of Sochi. “Russia will propose and is ready to work with the Ukrainian side on a memorandum on a possible future peace accord.”
European leaders and Ukraine have long demanded that Russia agree to an immediate ceasefire. Trump’s focus has been on securing Putin’s commitment to a 30-day truce, a proposal that Putin has previously resisted, insisting that certain conditions be met first. However, recent remarks suggest that discussions of a ceasefire will now occur alongside broader peace negotiations.
Following his conversation with Trump, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is open to signing a bilateral memorandum with Russia that includes a ceasefire agreement. “We are prepared to engage in talks, but we will not accept conditions that require the withdrawal of our troops from territories under Ukrainian control,” Zelenskyy emphasized.
Zelenskyy also mentioned the possibility of a high-level meeting involving Ukraine, Russia, the United States, European Union countries, and Britain, as part of a concerted effort to end the war. Potential hosts for such a summit include Türkiye, the Vatican, or Switzerland.
Trump added that the Vatican, “as represented by the Pope,” has shown interest in hosting the negotiations. “Let the process begin,” he stated. While the Vatican has not commented, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the conversation with Trump as “good,” noting that “it is important that the U.S. stays engaged.”
Despite these hopeful signs, Ukraine and its allies have accused Russia of not negotiating in good faith, taking minimal steps to avoid further economic sanctions. European leaders are urging the United States to join them in imposing stricter sanctions on Russia if it continues to refuse a ceasefire.
Earlier talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegates in Istanbul failed to produce a truce. Trump has made it clear that significant progress requires direct involvement at the highest levels. “There will be no movement unless I and Putin meet,” he said.
Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed that Trump and Putin discussed “impressive” prospects for U.S.-Russia relations and are working on a new prisoner swap.
Putin emphasized the need to address the “root causes” of the crisis. “We need to determine the most effective ways to move towards peace,” he said. “Our position is clear: eliminating the root causes of this crisis is paramount.”
Trump, who has pledged to swiftly end the Russia-Ukraine conflict, warned that the U.S. might step back from its mediator role if progress isn’t made. U.S. Vice President JD Vance, speaking from Rome, echoed this sentiment: “We’re eventually going to say, ‘You know what? That was worth a try, but we’re not doing any more.'”
As the world watches, hopes are tentatively rising for an end to a conflict that has strained international relations and caused significant hardship in the region. The upcoming negotiations may mark a critical turning point toward peace.
