On Monday President Donald Trump held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The nature of the call was related to the push for a ceasefire in the Ukraine war following a meeting between officials from Moscow and Kiev in Istanbul, Turkey on Thursday. Trump reported that Moscow and Kiev will immediately continue their direct peace negotiations to secure a ceasefire and end the war.
“Just completed my two hour call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia,” The President said in his social media post. “I believe it went very well. Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a Ceasefire and, more importantly, an END to the War. The conditions for that will be negotiated between the two parties, as it can only be, because they know details of a negotiation that nobody else would be aware of. The tone and spirit of the conversation were excellent. If it wasn’t, I would say so now, rather than later. Russia wants to do largescale TRADE with the United States when this catastrophic “bloodbath” is over, and I agree. There is a tremendous opportunity for Russia to create massive amounts of jobs and wealth. Its potential is UNLIMITED. Likewise, Ukraine can be a great beneficiary on Trade, in the process of rebuilding its Country. Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine will begin immediately. I have so informed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, of Ukraine, 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, during a call with me, immediately after the call with President Putin. The Vatican, as represented by the Pope, has stated that it would be very interested in hosting the negotiations. Let the process begin!”
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 19, 2025
“We’ve agreed with the U.S. President that Russia will propose and be ready to work with the Ukrainian side on a memorandum on a potential future peace agreement, defining such positions as the principles of the settlement and the timeframe for a potential conclusion of the peace agreement, including [the announcement of] a possible ceasefire for a certain period of time,” Putin said after the call.
Prior to the call on Monday Ukraine’s Dictator also discussed his country’s work toward a peace deal.
“I held a meeting on our diplomatic efforts to end the war and to establish a real and durable peace,” Zelensky said. “Rustem Umerov, the head of the delegation in Türkiye, reported on the specific details of their conversation with the Russians. The Ukrainian delegation succeeded in keeping the talks in a dignified manner. All Russian attempts to issue threats were rejected. Ukraine insists on the need for a full and unconditional ceasefire in order to save human lives and to establish the necessary foundation for diplomacy. Such a ceasefire must be long enough and include the possibility of extension. Our proposal, shared by our partners, is 30 days — we are ready for this. We are also prepared for a meeting at the level of leaders to solve the key issues. Ukraine is not afraid of direct talks with Russia, and it is important that the Russian leadership not prolong the war.”
I held a meeting on our diplomatic efforts to end the war and to establish a real and durable peace.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 19, 2025
Minister of Defense of Ukraine, @rustem_umerov, reported on the work of our delegation and the negotiation process in Türkiye. The meetings on May 15–16 showed the world both our… pic.twitter.com/qerqgCDz9A
Originally Putin was to meet with Ukraine’s Dictator Vladimir Zelensky at the peace negotiations on Thursday, but the Russian leader did not show up. While future meetings were planned, Trump said he will contact Putin, effectively to grease the skids of diplomacy and advance the push for peace.
After the call began, Vice President JD Vance clarified the Trump administration’s position on resolving the war.
“The proposal from the United States has always been: Look, there are a lot of economic benefits to thawing relations between Russia and the rest of the world, but you’re not going to get those benefits if you keep on killing a lot of innocent people,” Vance said.
Before the call took place, the White House said that Trump’s agenda is a quick ceasefire and long term peace plan.
“He has made it clear to both sides that he wants to see a peaceful resolution and ceasefire as soon as possible,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
Bloomberg reported before the phone call on Monday that Trump is considering putting more sanctions on Russia if a ceasefire fails to materialize soon. Both the President and Vice President have said that they are prepared to walk way from the situation if a peace deal is not reached.
Also prior to the call on Monday, the Kremlin said that there are a lot of details that need to be ironed out in order to achieve a peace deal.
“There is quite painstaking and, perhaps, in some areas, lengthy work ahead on the settlement, connected with a large number of nuances that need to be discussed. The Russian side is ready for this work,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
After Putin failed to meet with Zelensky on Thursday, Trump said that he will step in while on his Middle East tour in the United Arab Emirates on Friday. The President said that he wants to meet Putin “as soon as we can set it up.” Trump did much of the groundwork in bringing the two countries together already.
The President also said on Friday that while the world is now a “much safer place,” it will become “much, much safer” in “two to three weeks,” referencing the ongoing peace process.
“We’re going to get it done,” the President said, indicating he will be able to break the deadlock.
“I said, you know, they all said Putin was going, Zelensky was going, and I said, if I don’t go, I guarantee Putin’s not going. And he didn’t go,” Trump said Friday.