Trump is trying his hardest to get Russia and Ukraine to agree to peace. But it hasn’t come without it’s challenges.
And what Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin discussed during a high-stakes phone call will shock you.
Trump Sparks Hope for Peace in Russia-Ukraine Conflict After Putin Call
In a bold move to address the ongoing 39-month war between Russia and Ukraine, President Donald Trump announced on Monday that both nations will “immediately” begin cease-fire negotiations. The announcement followed a two-hour phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who emphasized that peace talks must tackle the “root cause” of the “crisis” before Moscow can fully commit.
“Just completed my two hour call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia,” Trump shared on Truth Social. “I believe it went very well. Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a Ceasefire and, more importantly, an END to the War.”
BREAKING: Trump announced he just finished a two-hour call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and that Russia and Ukraine will start negotiations toward an end of the war.
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) May 19, 2025
This is what a real President looks like! pic.twitter.com/kntZlvwrR7
Trump described the conversation as warm and productive, noting, “The tone and spirit of the conversation were excellent. If it wasn’t, I would say so now, rather than later.”
He highlighted Russia’s interest in forging large-scale trade ties with the United States once the “bloodbath” concludes, adding, “There is a tremendous opportunity for Russia to create massive amounts of jobs and wealth. Its potential is UNLIMITED.” Ukraine, too, could benefit from trade partnerships to rebuild, he suggested.
The president confirmed he had briefed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and key European leaders, including “Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, President Emmanuel Macron, of France, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, of Italy, Chancellor Friedrich Merz, of Germany, and President Alexander Stubb, of Finland.”
In a surprising twist, Trump revealed that “The Vatican, as represented by the Pope, has stated that it would be very interested in hosting the negotiations.” He closed with an optimistic call to action: “Let the process begin!”
Putin, in a separate statement, called the discussion “frank and meaningful” and expressed gratitude for Trump’s initiative to engage directly with both sides. “Russia is ready to work with Kyiv on a memorandum on a future peace treaty which could include issues of a cease-fire and principles for resolving the conflict,” the Russian leader said, stressing the need to find “the most effective paths toward peace” acceptable to all parties.
However, he reiterated Russia’s “known” stance, alluding to his 2022 claims that the invasion aimed to “de-N*zify” Ukraine and protect Russian-speaking communities—assertions widely disputed as baseless.
Recent developments show tentative steps toward dialogue. On Friday, Russian and Ukrainian officials met in Turkey for the first face-to-face talks in over three years, despite Putin’s absence. The meeting yielded a commitment to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war from each side and a pledge to continue negotiations with proposals for a cease-fire.
Vice President JD Vance, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force Two earlier Monday, emphasized the administration’s pragmatic approach. “The president has been very clear,” Vance stated. “There’s a bit of an impasse here, and I think the president’s going to say to President Putin, ‘Look, are you serious, are you real about this?’”
He warned that if Putin isn’t committed to meaningful talks, the U.S. is “more than open to walking away.” Vance added that without progress, the administration would label the conflict “Joe Biden’s war” and shift focus elsewhere.
“It’s not our war. We’re going to try to end it, but if we can’t end it, we are eventually going to say, ‘that was worth a try, but we’re not doing it anymore.’”
The Kremlin, ahead of the call, signaled Putin’s firm stance, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov referencing prior negotiations in Istanbul.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova emphasized Putin’s commitment to a June 2024 proposal, which demands Ukraine withdraw from the Donbas region, renounce NATO membership, lift Western sanctions, and adopt non-aligned, non-nuclear status, among other conditions.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
