President Donald Trump, gearing up to help Russia and Ukraine reach a ceasefire, announced that he will be having separate chats with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday. In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared, “I will be speaking, by telephone, to President Vladimir Putin of Russia on Monday, at 10:00 a.m.” He then went on to mention that he will also be having a conversation with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine. Trump emphasized the need to stop the ongoing bloodshed, which has been claiming the lives of more than 5,000 Russian and Ukrainian soldiers weekly, in addition to addressing trade issues.
The President expressed hopes for a productive day, with a potential ceasefire on the horizon to put an end to the violent war that he believes should have never occurred. Trump’s efforts to push for a ceasefire have been ongoing for months, with the war being a central issue during his 2024 presidential campaign. Recently, officials from both Russia and Ukraine held direct talks in Istanbul, reaching an agreement for a prisoner exchange. However, the terms for a permanent ceasefire still seem to be a distant goal, despite these negotiations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also engaged in discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in an attempt to further peace talks.
While Trump has been vocal in his criticism of Putin’s actions in Ukraine, he has also emphasized the need for direct engagement with the Russian president. The President reiterated his intention to meet with Putin, expressing confidence in their ability to find a resolution while acknowledging the uncertainty of the outcome. Trump’s dedication to resolving the conflict was evident in his past interactions with Zelenskyy, with whom he engaged in a private conversation during Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome. The U.S. president’s skepticism towards Putin’s commitment to ending the war was apparent in his public statements, where he questioned the Russian leader’s motives. Despite previous tensions between the U.S. and Ukraine, a recent economic partnership deal involving Ukraine’s rare earth minerals signifies a step towards cooperation between the two nations.
