By ZEKE MILLER, JOSH BOAK and KATIE MARIE DAVIES, Related Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Russia and Ukraine will “immediately” start ceasefire negotiations, President Donald Trump stated Monday after separate calls with the leaders of each nations meant to spur progress towards ending the three-year battle. The conversations didn’t seem to yield a serious breakthrough.
It was not clear when or the place any talks would possibly happen or who would take part. Trump’s announcement got here days after the first direct engagement between Russian and Ukrainian delegations since 2022. These negotiations on Friday in Turkey caused a restricted trade of prisoners however no pause within the combating.
Forward of the calls, the White Home stated Trump had grown “frustrated” with each leaders over the persevering with battle. Vice President JD Vance stated Trump would press Russian President Vladimir Putin to see if he was really inquisitive about stopping the combating, and if not, that the U.S. may disengage from making an attempt to cease the battle. Trump later advised reporters that he believed Putin was critical about wanting peace.
“The conditions for that will be negotiated between the two parties, as it can only be, because they know details of a negotiation that nobody else would be aware of,” Trump stated in a social media publish.
Trump stated the decision with Putin was “excellent,” including, “If it wasn’t, I would say so now, rather than later.”
Later talking to reporters within the Oval Workplace, he famous the method has “got very big egos involved, I tell you.”
“Big egos involved. But I think something’s going to happen and, if it doesn’t I’d just back away and they have to keep going,” Trump stated. “This was a European situation. It should have remained a European situation.”
Trump additionally stated he advised Putin, “We’ve got to get going.”
Trump has struggled to finish a battle that started with Russia’s invasion in February 2022, a setback for his guarantees to rapidly settle the battle as soon as he was again within the White Home, if not earlier than he took workplace.
“He’s grown weary and frustrated with both sides of the conflict,” White Home press secretary Karoline Leavitt advised reporters Monday earlier than the calls. “He has made it clear to both sides that he wants to see a peaceful resolution and ceasefire as soon as possible.”
The Republican president is banking on the concept that his drive of character and private historical past with Putin will likely be sufficient to interrupt any deadlock over a pause within the combating. He dangled the prospect of diminished sanctions and elevated commerce with Russia ought to the battle finish.
After the decision, Putin stated Russia was able to proceed discussing an finish to the combating after a “very informative and very frank” dialog with Trump. Putin stated the warring nations ought to “find compromises that would suit all parties.”
Moscow, he stated, will “propose and is ready to work with” Ukraine on a “memorandum” outlining the framework for “a possible future peace treaty.”
However indicating that little had basically modified about his calls for, Putin stated: “At the same time, I would like to note that, in general, Russia’s position is clear. The main thing for us is to eliminate the root causes of this crisis.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated Monday that he reaffirmed to Trump that Ukraine is prepared for a full and unconditional ceasefire. He urged the worldwide group to keep up strain on Moscow if it refuses to halt its invasion.
“Ukraine doesn’t need to be persuaded — our representatives are ready to make real decisions. What’s needed is mirrored readiness from Russia for such result-oriented negotiations.” Zelenskyy stated.
Trump and Putin addressed one another by first names
Russian presidential adviser Yuri Ushakov, who beforehand served as Russian ambassador to the U.S., described the dialog as pleasant, with Trump and Putin addressing one another by their first names.
“Trump said, ‘Vladimir, you can pick up the phone at any time, and I will be happy to answer and speak with you,’” he stated.
Ushakov additionally stated Trump and Putin may meet face-to-face in some unspecified time in the future, however no timeline was set.
Putin and Trump additionally talked a few Russia-US prisoner trade, which Ushakov stated was “in the works” and envisioned Moscow and Washington releasing 9 folks every. Ushakov didn’t supply every other particulars.
Talking earlier than the decision, Vance stated Trump may stroll away from making an attempt to finish the battle if he feels Putin isn’t critical about negotiation.
“I’d say we’re more than open to walking away,” Vance advised reporters earlier than leaving Rome after assembly with Pope Leo XIV. Vance stated Trump has been clear that the U.S. “is not going to spin its wheels here. We want to see outcomes.”
Zelenskyy, who spoke to Trump one-on-one earlier than the Putin name after which collectively with European leaders after, advised reporters that he emphasised to Trump that no choices needs to be made about Ukraine with out involving Kyiv. He additionally stated that he mentioned the potential for “serious sanctions” on Russia.
Trump stated the Vatican expressed curiosity in internet hosting the negotiations, however there was no rapid affirmation that any talks had been scheduled.
Trump tries the carrot — and stick — with Putin
Trump sought to make use of monetary incentives to dealer some form of settlement after Russia’s invasion led to extreme sanctions by the USA and its allies which have steadily eroded Moscow’s skill to develop.
“Russia wants to do largescale TRADE with the United States when this catastrophic “bloodbath” is over, and I agree,” he stated in a social media publish. “There is a tremendous opportunity for Russia to create massive amounts of jobs and wealth. Its potential is UNLIMITED.”
Trump’s treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, stated Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that Trump had made it clear {that a} failure by Putin to barter “in good faith” may result in extra sanctions towards Russia.
Bessent steered the sanctions that started throughout the administration of Democratic President Joe Biden had been insufficient as a result of they didn’t cease Russia’s oil revenues, as a result of issues that doing so would improve U.S. costs. America sought to cap Russia’s oil revenues whereas preserving the nation’s petroleum exports to restrict the harm from the inflation that the battle produced.
Trump and Zelenskyy spoke with leaders from France, Italy and Finland, in addition to European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen, who’ve threatened more durable sanctions on Russia in a bid to drive Putin into negotiations.
No ceasefire however an trade of prisoners
Putin not too long ago rejected a suggestion by Zelenskyy to meet in-person in Turkey as a substitute for a 30-day ceasefire urged by Ukraine and its Western allies, together with Washington. As an alternative, Russian and Ukrainian officers met in Istanbul for talks, the primary such direct negotiations since March 2022.
These talks ended Friday after lower than two hours, and not using a ceasefire in place. However each nations dedicated to trade 1,000 prisoners of battle every, with Ukraine’s intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, saying on Ukrainian tv Saturday that the exchanges may occur as early as this week.
Whereas wrapping up his four-day journey to the Center East, Trump stated Friday that Putin had not gone to Turkey as a result of Trump himself wasn’t there.
“He and I will meet, and I think we’ll solve it or maybe not,” Trump advised reporters after boarding Air Power One. “At least we’ll know. And if we don’t solve it, it’ll be very interesting.”
Davies reported from Manchester, England. Related Press writers Michelle L. Value in Washington; Dasha Litvinova in Tallinn, Estonia; and Hanna Arhirova and Volodymyr Yurchuk in Kyiv, Ukraine contributed to this report.
Initially Revealed: Might 19, 2025 at 7:31 AM EDT
