In a renewed push for peace, U.S. President Donald Trump is set to speak by phone today with Russian President Vladimir Putin in an attempt to “end the bloodbath” in Ukraine. The announcement follows the failed peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv held in Istanbul last Friday — the first direct negotiations since 2022 — which did not result in a ceasefire.
President Trump, posting on Truth Social, confirmed the call would take place at 10:00 a.m. Washington time (5:00 p.m. Athens time). “The goal is to end the bloodshed that kills over 5,000 Russian and Ukrainian soldiers each week and to discuss trade,” Trump wrote. He added: “I hope today will be productive, and that a ceasefire is reached to stop this very violent war that never should have started.”
According to the Kremlin, preparations for the call are already underway. On Sunday, from Rome, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss the military situation, plans for today’s call, the possibility of sanctions against Russia, and prospects for a ceasefire. The White House stated that both leaders expressed their shared goal of ending the bloodshed and exchanged updates on ongoing negotiations.
Meanwhile, Russian attacks in Ukraine have intensified. A Russian drone strike hit a minibus in Sumy province on Saturday, killing at least nine civilians. In another attack, a woman was killed in the Kyiv region. Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko reported a record 273 drones launched by Russia overnight from Saturday to Sunday. Additionally, Russia announced it had captured new territory in the Donetsk province.
France, the UK, Germany, and Italy also held a joint call with Trump on Sunday to discuss the war. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office confirmed they examined the “devastating cost of the war on both sides.” French President Emmanuel Macron stated on X (formerly Twitter) that “tomorrow President Putin must prove he wants peace by accepting President Trump’s proposed unconditional 30-day ceasefire, which Ukraine and Europe support.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the coming week as “critical” and stressed President Trump’s determination to achieve results. “If he can’t do it, then no one can,” said Trump’s special envoy Steve Whitcoff.
Zelensky emphasized the need to maintain pressure on Russia “until it is ready to end the war.” For his part, Putin stated he wants to “eliminate the causes” of the conflict and “secure guarantees for the Russian state’s safety.”
Trump and Putin last spoke by phone on March 18, when they agreed to a 30-day halt in strikes on energy infrastructure. However, both Moscow and Kyiv have since accused each other of violating the ceasefire.
Russia continues to push for maximalist demands: that Ukraine renounce its NATO aspirations, cede control of four partially occupied regions plus Crimea, and halt all Western arms deliveries. Ukraine rejects these terms, calling instead for a full Russian military withdrawal and firm security guarantees to prevent future aggression.
Source: ANA-MPA, Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
