Donald Trump most emphatically called on Monday: “Peace talks between Ukraine and Russia should start immediately.” But at the same time, Zelensky once again emphasized his demands, and Putin made it clear that no timeline had been discussed. Here’s what we know about the talks between the leaders.
“Peace Talks Can Start Immediately,” Trump Said After Speaking by Phone With Both Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zenskyy. The president spoke of “imminent negotiations” that could take place at the Vatican.
Not much is yet known about the content of the more than two-hour phone calls. However, Trump shared that Russia wants to do “large-scale trade with the US” if a deal is reached. Ukraine, in turn, could benefit from this. It is not clear what exactly this trade involves.
Putin and Trump are also said to have discussed a prisoner exchange, in which nine American detainees would be exchanged for nine Russian prisoners. The details have not been released, but the exchange would contribute to “improving bilateral cooperation” between Russia and the US.
Trump is jubilant about the phone calls. He is positive and states that peace talks are “the next step.”
Putin is more cautious in His Wing and Spoke of “Useful and Information Conversations.” “We have agreed that Russia will propose a memorandum on a possible future peace agreement in which a number of positions will be recorded,” Putin said.
The Russian president has made it clear that he wants to talk to Kyiv. “If an appropriate agreement is reached, there could be a ceasefire.” He added that direct talks between Russia and Ukraine “give reason to believe that we are generally on the right track.”
Putin emphasized that he mainly wants to eliminate “the root causes of this crisis.” He did not specify which causes he was referring to. With his cautious statements, Putin shows that he does not seem to be in a hurry to close a deal. That fits with his delaying tactic.
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Putin After Talk with Trump: ‘Information and useful’
But Zelensky is also Still Cautious, as he emphasized again on monday equing that he is sticking to certain demands. For example, Ukraine will not give in to the persistent Russian demands, including full control over five Ukrainian regions. “We will not withdraw our troops from our own territory.”
Zelensky did promise the exchange of prisoners of war with Russia, writes BBC News. He also said that preparations are being made for “more direct talks” with Moscow.
The ukrainian president also announced that he is working on a “high-level meeting.” This concerns a consultation between Ukraine, Russia, the US, countries from the European Union, and the United Kingdom. That would be the first attempt to end the war.
Zelensky hopes that meeting “can take place as soon as possible.” He proposed holding it in Turkey, the Vatican, or Switzerland.
It is not clear when that meeting would take place. Putin emphasized that he had not discussed a timeline with Trump. “I have an interest in reaching an agreement quickly,” he said. But according to him, the timing is therefore not fixed.
Trump has informed the EU leaders about the talks and looks forward to a peace conference. They welcomed Trump’s statement that Pope Leo XIV is interested in organizing the Russian-Ukrainian talks in the Vatican, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said.
Meloni took over Trump’s words: “Work is underway on the immediate start of negotiations between the parties that can lead to a ceasefire as soon as possible and create the conditions for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.” Meloni is positive about the willingness of the Vatican and says that Italy is “ready to contribute to bringing about peace.”
But the Vatican has not confirmed that the pope had made an sacrifice to organize negotiations. The new Pope has not yet responded to Trump’s statements himself. But during an earlier speech, Leo XIV is said to have said that he wanted to act as a mediator. Later in the evening, Trump reiterated that it “would be nice if the talks took place in the Vatican.”
On Monday Evening, Trump Returned to the Talks, in which he Seemed More Cautious. Although he said he believed that both Putin and Zelensky wanted to stop the war, he pointed to a “red line in his head.” He was referring to a moment when he no longer wants to interfere in the war. He did not want to say when that is, but he did mention possible sanctions for Russia as a potential border.
Prior to the talks, US Vice President JD Vance warned of a stalemate. He warned that the US “can get out of the war in Ukraine” if nothing comes of the talks. “We are trying to end the war, but we will stop it if that doesn’t work. It’s not our war.”
It is not yet clear where and when so-called top talks will take place. It is also not clear whether any actual steps have been taken towards each other. After all, no concrete agreements have been made. Although the willingness of the leaders to talk to each other seems to have increased somewhat, there are still considerable bridges to be built.