Former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Monday that peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine would begin “immediately” following a two-hour phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin — a claim not fully corroborated by Moscow.
Speaking on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump framed the discussion as a breakthrough toward ending the conflict, saying, “Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a ceasefire and, more importantly, an end to the war.”
However, the Kremlin offered a more measured response. Putin described the conversation as “very informative” and said Russia would be willing to engage with Kyiv on a memorandum for a potential peace agreement but stressed that mutual compromises would be necessary.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who also spoke with Trump before and after the Putin call, warned against unilateral decisions and insisted that no agreement be reached without Ukraine’s input.
“I asked him not to make any decisions about Ukraine without us,” Zelensky told reporters, while rejecting the possibility of withdrawing Ukrainian forces from territories under Kyiv’s control.
Putin has thus far resisted Trump’s earlier calls for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, prompting frustration from Washington and its allies. Despite this, Trump expressed optimism, stating, “If I thought President Putin didn’t want to get this over with, I wouldn’t even be talking about it.”
The former president also suggested that improved U.S.-Russia relations and future trade opportunities could incentivise Moscow to end hostilities, though critics argue Trump is prioritising diplomacy with the Kremlin at the expense of broader Western unity.
Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV has reportedly offered the Vatican as a potential venue for peace talks — a proposal supported by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and
