Key Points
- Trump and Putin spoke for over two hours, agreeing to start immediate Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks.
- Putin expressed readiness for peace talks but stopped short of promising a full ceasefire, insisting on addressing “root causes”.
- Ukrainian President Zelensky welcomed talks but voiced deep mistrust of Russia’s intentions and rejected Moscow’s demands to withdraw troops.
- The EU is set to impose a major new sanctions package on Russia, targeting ships, companies, and individuals.
- Trump informed Zelensky and key European leaders after the call, emphasizing that negotiation terms will be set by Kyiv and Moscow.
- Recent Istanbul talks failed; the Vatican has offered to host new negotiations.
New Delhi: After a marathon two-hour phone call on Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine would “immediately” begin negotiations aimed at achieving a ceasefire and ending the war that has raged for more than three years. Trump described the conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin as “very positive,” highlighting that both sides had agreed to start direct talks without delay.
Putin, for his part, characterized the exchange as “substantive and candid,” and said Moscow was ready to work with Ukraine on a memorandum for a potential peace agreement. This document would cover key settlement principles, a timeline for a peace deal, and the terms for a possible temporary ceasefire. Putin expressed gratitude to Trump for supporting the resumption of direct talks, but emphasized that the “root causes” of the conflict must be addressed for lasting peace.
“We have reached an understanding with the U.S. president that Russia will suggest and is prepared to collaborate with the Ukrainian side on a memorandum regarding a potential future peace agreement… including a possible ceasefire for a certain period of time if the relevant agreements are reached,” Putin told reporters.
Zelensky Welcomes Talks, But Distrusts Moscow
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who spoke with Trump both before and after the Trump-Putin call, welcomed the U.S. push for a full, unconditional ceasefire. However, he voiced deep skepticism about Russia’s intentions, citing a lack of trust and Moscow’s history of imposing additional demands.
“I was very happy when President Trump proposed a full ceasefire without any conditions or preconditions. We’ve been ready for this… But I’m not sure that Russia is ready and we don’t trust them. That’s what we want from them: a ceasefire, at the first step, to show that they’re really ready to stop the war,” Zelensky said.
Zelensky also categorically rejected Putin’s demand that Ukraine withdraw its troops from four partially occupied regions, calling it unacceptable and a sign that Moscow is not serious about peace.
EU Sanctions Pressure Russia as Talks Resume
The timing of the Trump-Putin call is notable, coming just hours before the European Union is set to adopt a powerful new sanctions package against Russia. The measures, which will be formalized on Tuesday, target nearly 200 Russian ships, 30 companies, and 75 individuals or organizations linked to Russia’s military-industrial complex. The EU’s move comes after Putin declined to attend recent peace talks in Istanbul, further escalating international pressure on Moscow.
While Trump has indicated he will not impose additional U.S. sanctions for now citing a “chance of progress towards a ceasefire”—European leaders are coordinating closely with Washington and remain committed to increasing pressure if Russia fails to make genuine concessions.
What’s Next: Uncertainty and Cautious Optimism
Despite Trump’s optimism, significant hurdles remain. Putin has not agreed to a full, unconditional ceasefire, and insists on addressing broader issues as part of any settlement. Previous attempts at negotiation, including the recent Istanbul round, have failed to yield lasting results. The Vatican has offered to host the next round of talks, and both Trump and Zelensky have stressed the need for continued U.S. and European involvement.
As the world watches for signs of progress, the fate of the ceasefire and the broader peace process remains uncertain. The coming days will be critical in determining whether this latest diplomatic push can finally bring an end to the conflict.
