Trump Says He Will Call Putin On Monday To Discuss The War In Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — President Donald Trump announced that he intends to have phone conversations on Monday with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and leaders from several NATO countries to discuss putting an end to the conflict in Ukraine. Trump stated that the discussion with Putin would focus on halting the violence in Ukraine. He expressed hope for a productive day leading to a ceasefire and the conclusion of the ongoing war in Ukraine, which he believes should have never occurred. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that preparations were being made for the call on Monday.

Trump’s statements came after direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv failed to result in a ceasefire. Putin rejected Zelenskyy’s proposal to meet face-to-face in Turkey, following his own suggestion for direct negotiations as an alternative to a 30-day ceasefire urged by Ukraine and its Western allies, including the U.S. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also had a phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, suggesting that the Vatican could potentially serve as a location for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.

In Ukraine, a town in the northeast declared a period of mourning after a Russian drone attacked a bus evacuating civilians from frontline areas, resulting in the deaths of nine individuals, as reported by Ukrainian officials. The strike occurred after the Russian and Ukrainian delegations left Istanbul, having agreed to what would be the largest prisoner exchange between the warring sides.

Zelenskyy faces a critical juncture as talks have reached an impasse. The discussions in Istanbul ended without a ceasefire, although both sides agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war each. Ukraine’s strategy has been to convince the Trump administration of Putin’s unreliability and its own commitment to peace. Trump has expressed frustration with the lack of progress in the talks and has threatened to discontinue his efforts if results are not achieved.

The situation in Ukraine remains dire, with the country’s position against Russia’s invasion growing weaker over time. Zelenskyy has discussed the outcomes of the talks with Trump and leaders from France, Germany, Britain, and Poland. Peskov left open the possibility of Putin engaging in talks with Zelenskyy if the agreed-upon prisoner swap proceeds and further agreements are reached between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations.

In the aftermath of the failed talks, a town in Ukraine mourned the loss of nine civilians in the drone attack. Zelenskyy condemned the attack, emphasizing the need for a ceasefire to save lives. The attack was strongly denounced by Ukraine’s European allies, with U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressing his dismay and calling on Russia to agree to an immediate ceasefire.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, speaking alongside Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, condemned Russia for its ongoing attacks and pledged to intensify pressure on Moscow through increased sanctions.