President Donald Trump revealed that soon after his announcement, Russia and Ukraine will start talks to try and achieve a ceasefire and end the war. Soon after Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin had a two-hour phone call on May 19, 2025, he made the announcement. Reference…
Key Highlights of the Trump-Putin Call
- Initiation of Ceasefire Talks: President Trump stated that both Russia and Ukraine have agreed to begin ceasefire negotiations without delay.
- Putin’s Stance: While Putin expressed readiness to work on a memorandum for a potential peace agreement, he did not commit to an immediate ceasefire, emphasizing the need to address the “root causes” of the conflict. Reference…
- Ukrainian Response: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reaffirmed Ukraine’s desire for a full and unconditional ceasefire and stressed the importance of continued international pressure on Russia to pursue genuine peace.
International Reactions and Diplomatic Efforts
- Russian Non-Commitment: Leaders from Europe have stated they are dissatisfied with Russia’s lack of firm statements and hence will impose more sanctions to persuade Moscow to discuss this issue meaningfully.
- Possible Locations for Negotiations: The Vatican is prepared to host the conversation and Pope Leo XIV is willing to help locate a solution.
- U.S. Administration’s Position: Vice President JD Vance emphasized that the U.S. is prepared to withdraw from mediation efforts if negotiations stagnate, underscoring the importance of tangible progress.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the announcement of immediate talks, significant hurdles remain: Reuters
- Russia’s Demands: Russia continues to insist on conditions such as territorial concessions and limitations on Ukraine’s military capabilities, which Ukraine finds unacceptable. WSJ
- Skepticism Over Russia’s Intentions: Analysts suggest that Putin may be prolonging negotiations to continue military operations and extract further concessions. New York Post
- Need for Sustained International Pressure: Zelenskyy and other leaders emphasize that sustained international involvement is crucial to ensure Russia’s commitment to genuine peace talks. @EconomicTimes
Conclusion
The announcement by President Trump is a key step towards settling the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Talks aimed at starting a ceasefire are welcome, but it will be difficult to guarantee lasting peace. International engagement and applied pressure will greatly contribute to the negotiations ending with success.
