President Donald Trump confirmed plans to speak separately with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday. The Trump Ukraine ceasefire talks aim to bring an end to the war that has entered its third year.
Trump announced on Truth Social that he would call Putin at 10:00 a.m. and speak with Zelenskyy later in the day. He said he hoped the discussions would stop what he called a “bloodbath,” with over 5,000 soldiers dying weekly.
The president emphasized that reaching a ceasefire remains a top priority. “Hopefully it will be a productive day, a ceasefire will take place, and this very violent war will end,” Trump wrote.
On Friday, Russian and Ukrainian officials met in Istanbul for the first direct negotiations since the war began. They agreed on a prisoner exchange but made no progress toward a permanent ceasefire. Putin did not attend the talks.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov about possible peace terms. U.S. officials continue to push for a diplomatic solution.
Trump has expressed frustration with both sides, though his criticism of Putin has grown in recent weeks. “Vladimir, STOP!” he posted after recent Russian strikes killed civilians in Ukraine.
Earlier this year, tensions flared when Trump, Zelenskyy, and Vice President JD Vance clashed during a White House meeting. Despite that, Trump later met privately with Zelenskyy in Rome during Pope Francis’ funeral.
In that meeting, Trump questioned Putin’s willingness to negotiate. He suggested Russia might be stalling. “Maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war,” Trump posted afterward.
Meanwhile, Ukraine and the U.S. recently signed a deal involving Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, deepening economic ties amid the conflict.
The Trump Ukraine ceasefire talks mark a renewed diplomatic push, though expectations remain cautious. Trump hinted at an in-person meeting with Putin soon, saying, “He and I will meet. I think we’ll solve it, or maybe not.”
The outcome of the Trump Ukraine ceasefire talks could reshape the geopolitical landscape and influence broader U.S. foreign policy decisions in 2025.
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