President Donald Trump is set to call Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday in an effort to broker a ceasefire in the escalating conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The call comes amid renewed diplomatic efforts following weekend peace talks in Turkey, where a prisoner swap was agreed upon, despite a lack of progress on a broader peace deal.
Trump has emphasized the need to end the war, which he has called a ‘bloodbath’ with thousands of casualties, and has indicated he believes direct engagement is essential. However, the situation remains volatile, with Russia launching a significant drone attack on Ukraine just hours before the scheduled call, highlighting the ongoing tensions.
The U.S. administration has also been seeking direct engagement with Ukraine’s leadership, as evidenced by meetings between Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio with President Zelenskyy in Rome. These efforts come as both sides continue to explore potential compromises, though significant differences remain on key issues such as territorial integrity and security guarantees.
During the weekend talks in Turkey, Russian and Ukrainian officials agreed to release around 1,000 prisoners of war ‘in the coming days,’ though they failed to reach agreement on peace. Zelenskyy attributed the lack of a breakthrough to Putin sending low-level officials to the talks, stating that the Russian delegation was composed of individuals who did not hold decision-making authority in Moscow.
Puтин has emphasized that any peace deal must address the so-called ’causes that triggered this crisis’ and ‘guarantee Russia’s security.’ Meanwhile, Trump has suggested that peace negotiations would not proceed without his involvement, stating, ‘Nothing’s going to happen until Putin and I get together.’
In response to the ongoing conflict, Ukraine has called for a 30-day, unconditional ceasefire, while Russia has expressed concerns that such a pause could allow Ukraine to re-arm and mobilize. The immediate challenges of the conflict, including the rapid spread of drone attacks, underscore the urgency of finding a resolution, yet the path forward remains uncertain given the differing priorities and strategic goals of the involved parties.