President Donald Trump is set to chat with Russian President Vladimir Putin around 10 a.m. ET on Monday, as the White House keeps pushing for an end to Moscow’s 3-year-old invasion of Ukraine after last week’s peace talks in Istanbul, Turkey. Trump mentioned on his Truth Social website that the call’s main topics would be stopping the ‘bloodbath’ that is taking more than 5,000 Russian and Ukrainian soldiers each week, and trade. He also plans to speak with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and various NATO members after his conversation with Putin.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the call would happen at 5 p.m. Moscow time, which is 10 a.m. ET. Peskov stated to journalists that the conversation is crucial following the discussions in Istanbul and that they will provide the best message based on the call’s results. The direct contact with Putin comes after the hopes for progress in the Istanbul talks were shattered when Putin declined to attend despite Zelenskyy’s invitation.
Contacts between U.S., Russian, and Ukrainian officials continued post the Istanbul talks. Secretary of State Marco Rubio chatted with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, highlighting Trump’s call for an immediate ceasefire. Vice President JD Vance also met with Zelenskyy at the Vatican, following an offer from Pope Leo XIV to host a bilateral meeting. Zelenskyy emphasized the need for real diplomacy, a full ceasefire, sanctions against Russia, defense cooperation, and upcoming prisoners exchange. The Ukrainian Foreign Minister noted that Moscow is focused on the past, rejecting the ceasefire, while Ukraine is forward-looking and aiming for immediate peace. The situation on the ground remains tense, with long-range strikes by both sides continuing, causing damage in multiple regions of Ukraine.
The ongoing discussions and interactions between key players in the conflict are crucial in determining the path towards peace in the region. The willingness of leaders like Trump, Zelenskyy, and Putin to engage in dialogue and negotiations demonstrates a potential for progress. However, the challenges and complexities of the situation cannot be overlooked, with differing priorities and objectives complicating the path towards a resolution. The impact of continued hostilities on the civilian population and the broader implications for regional stability underline the urgency of finding a sustainable solution to the conflict. As the international community closely monitors developments in Ukraine, the outcomes of these high-level discussions will be instrumental in shaping the future trajectory of the conflict.
