Trump's Call with Putin Sparks Ukraine Peace Talks

Donald Trump said there is a "good chance" of peace between Russia and Ukraine, but the US has a red line in upcoming talks. After a two-hour call with Vladimir Putin, Trump announced that Russia-Ukraine discussions will begin "immediately". Trump spoke to Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday, with Zelenskyy saying the talks were "positive" but noting Russia might propose "difficult conditions" for a ceasefire. Trump focused on getting Putin to commit to a 30-day truce, while European leaders and Ukraine demanded an immediate ceasefire.

US President Donald Trump says Russia and Ukraine will "immediately" start negotiating a ceasefire and an end to the war after a two-hour phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump described the conversation as having gone "very well" and said conditions for peace would be negotiated between the two parties. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reaffirmed Ukraine's desire for a "full and unconditional ceasefire" and warned that if Moscow is not ready, "there must be stronger sanctions." Putin said Russia is ready to work with Ukraine on a "memorandum on a possible future peace agreement."

President Trump held a two-hour phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, describing the tone as "excellent" and stating that Russia and Ukraine would "immediately start negotiations toward a ceasefire." Trump also spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who later expressed concerns that the US should not "distance itself from the talks and the pursuit of peace." Trump indicated that Pope Leo XIV had expressed interest in hosting negotiations, and that Russia wants to engage in large-scale trade with the US once the conflict ends. Zelenskyy urged stronger sanctions if Russia is not ready to stop the fighting, while Trump's statement did not mention sanctions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with top US officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in Rome ahead of a high-stakes phone call between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. Zelenskyy emphasized the need for "real diplomacy" and reaffirmed Ukraine's commitment to a ceasefire, while also discussing sanctions against Russia and defense cooperation. Rubio believes that in-person talks between Trump and Putin are necessary for progress, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that Europeans and Americans are determined to work together to end the war. The meetings came as Russia launched a large drone barrage against Ukraine, its largest since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022.

US President Donald Trump's phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin has made peace in Ukraine look further away. Trump announced that Ukraine and Russia would hold talks on a ceasefire and ultimately an end to the war, siding with Putin's position and contradicting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's call for stronger sanctions on Russia if it doesn't stop killing Ukrainians. Trump also suggested that the US might take a less direct role in the peace process, potentially involving the Vatican, and threatened to "back away" if there's no progress, raising concerns that the US is losing interest in aiding Ukraine. Zelensky emphasized the need for the US to remain involved in the peace talks, warning that distancing itself would only benefit Putin. The call has widened transatlantic divisions on ending the war, with many observers believing that the US needs to exert maximum leverage to achieve peace.

CNN's Kaitlan Collins asked President Trump in the Oval Office whether he thinks meeting with Russian President Putin is necessary for peace with Ukraine.

A phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin marked a turning point in peace talks to end the war in Ukraine, with CNN's Nick Paton Walsh analyzing what might come next following the call.

Russia launched its largest single drone attack on Ukraine, firing 273 drones and decoys, just hours before President Donald Trump was set to hold a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss a ceasefire in the war. Ukraine's air force reported that 88 drones were intercepted and 128 were lost, likely due to electronic jamming. The attack killed a 28-year-old woman and wounded three others, including a 4-year-old child. Trump had announced plans to speak with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to work towards a ceasefire, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that Trump's goal is to see a ceasefire and an end to the conflict.

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a 2-hour call to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine, with both leaders describing the conversation positively. Trump claimed that Russia and Ukraine would "immediately start negotiations" towards a ceasefire, while Putin stated that a ceasefire was possible if both sides found mutually acceptable compromises. However, no concrete details or agreements were announced, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed caution, saying the world could now see whether leaders were "truly capable of securing a ceasefire". Recent negotiations in Turkey had broken down due to "unacceptable" demands from the Russian delegation, including the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from four regions annexed by Russia in 2022.

US correspondents James Matthews and Martha Kelner discuss whether Donald Trump's recent two-hour phone call with Vladimir Putin indicates he's walking away from peace negotiations in Ukraine, and also touch on the controversy surrounding Joe Biden's cancer diagnosis announcement.

The Trump administration is frustrated with the stalled negotiations to end the Ukraine war, with some officials threatening to "move on" due to the premise that the war is fundamentally Europe's problem. However, the article argues that how the war ends matters for America, as Putin's long-term objectives go beyond Ukraine and aim to relitigate the post-Cold War order in Europe, reducing American influence. A negotiated peace that emboldens Russia would leave Europe vulnerable and deepen global challenges for the US. The article warns that abandoning the peace process now will not make it easier or cheaper to resist Russia later, and that Moscow is already preparing for a future conflict in Europe. The US faces a choice: stand up to the Kremlin now or later, but the cost of waiting will only rise. The article concludes that Americans will pay a greater cost down the line if the Trump administration chooses not to invest in resisting Russia now.

President Trump backed off his demand for Russia to declare a cease-fire in Ukraine, instead endorsing Russian President Vladimir Putin's call for direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. After a two-hour phone call with Putin, Trump said Russia agreed to start negotiations with Ukraine toward a cease-fire and broader peace deal. Trump's shift in stance aligns with Putin's approach, as Russia has proposed extended negotiations in response to calls to stop the fighting. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed concern over Trump's willingness to step back and let Russia and Ukraine negotiate directly, saying the process should involve American and European representatives. The phone call came after weeks of Trump criticizing Putin for prolonging the war and after a recent large-scale Russian drone attack on Ukraine. Trump also discussed potential large-scale trade with Russia and a possible prisoner swap between the US and Russia.