Trump Steps In as Negotiations Stall
President Donald Trump has announced plans to speak directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday in a new effort to bring an end to the war in Ukraine. The announcement follows failed peace talks in Istanbul that ended without a ceasefire agreement, despite growing international pressure to end the violence.
“I will be speaking, by telephone, to President Vladimir Putin of Russia on Monday, at 10:00 a.m.,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on May 17. “The subjects of the call will be, stopping the ‘bloodbath’ that is killing, on average, more than 5,000 Russian and Ukrainian soldiers a week, and trade.” He added that he will also speak with Zelenskyy and later join discussions with NATO leaders. “Hopefully it will be a productive day, a ceasefire will take place, and this very violent war, a war that should have never happened, will end. God bless us all!”
Trump’s renewed involvement comes as his administration has grown frustrated with the slow pace of peace efforts, especially following last week’s diplomatic meetings in Istanbul that produced only a deal to exchange prisoners of war.
Istanbul Talks Fail to Deliver Peace
On May 16, delegations from Russia and Ukraine met in Istanbul for the first direct negotiations since 2022. The talks, however, lasted less than two hours and did not result in a ceasefire. The only agreement reached was a mutual commitment to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war each, the largest such swap since the conflict began.
Russia’s delegation was led by Putin aide Vladimir Medinsky, while Ukraine sent Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. Despite Ukraine’s request for a face-to-face meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy, Russia rejected that offer and instead opted to send lower-level representatives.
Ukraine’s military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said the prisoner swap could happen as early as next week, though no firm timeline was announced. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said negotiations were ongoing and should take place “behind closed doors” to ensure they remain productive. He confirmed that Russia would soon present Ukraine with a list of ceasefire conditions, but offered no details or schedule.
Peskov added that a direct meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy is still possible, depending on the success of the prisoner exchange and further diplomatic progress.
U.S. Urges Urgency and Diplomacy
In parallel with Trump’s plan for Monday’s calls, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov about the stalled peace process. Rubio, speaking on behalf of the Trump administration, said the violence must stop and urged both sides to act quickly.
“The U.S. has presented a strong peace plan and we welcome the Prisoner of War exchange agreement reached in Istanbul,” Rubio said in a social media post. “Let’s not miss this huge opportunity. The time for ending this war is now.”
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Lavrov acknowledged what it called the United States’ positive role in bringing Ukraine back to the negotiating table. “The conversation also touched on several other international and regional issues. The sides exchanged opinions on developing Russia-US relations,” the ministry said.
Zelenskyy Demands Real Commitment
President Zelenskyy expressed disappointment with the outcome of the Istanbul meeting and continues to call for a complete and unconditional ceasefire. He repeated that Ukraine has consistently offered such a deal to stop the bloodshed and save lives.
“Ukraine has long been offering this—a full and unconditional ceasefire in order to save lives. Russia retains nothing but the ability to continue killing,” Zelenskyy said in a post on social media. He also condemned a recent Russian drone strike on a civilian evacuation bus in Bilopillia, calling it a “deliberate killing of civilians.”
“All the deceased were civilians,” Zelenskyy added. “This was a deliberate killing.” The attack killed nine people, most of them elderly women. Ukrainian officials declared a period of mourning in the region through Monday. Russia claimed it had struck a military site in the area and made no mention of civilian casualties.
Zelenskyy has also urged NATO allies to impose stronger sanctions on Russia if it continues to avoid serious negotiations. “Without tougher sanctions, without stronger pressure, Russia will not seek real diplomacy,” he said.
Trump Stays Optimistic
Despite concerns from critics, Trump said he remains hopeful that peace is within reach. In an interview with Fox News, he said he believes the time is right for a deal and emphasized that he wants to take personal responsibility for getting it done.
“I’m tired of having other people go and meet and everything else,” Trump said. “I think I’m the only one that’s going to be able to do that one. And I think we will do it fast, too.”
He also suggested that he could impose new sanctions on Russia if needed. “I will use that if I have to,” Trump said, referring to potential economic penalties. “I would rather not use that.”
Trump has expressed support for a 30-day ceasefire that has also been pushed by European leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron and several members of NATO. He told Fox News that he plans to remain “committed” to securing a peace agreement and believes the prisoner exchange deal shows momentum is building.
Supporters and Critics Watch Closely
Supporters of Trump’s approach believe his direct style could bring results where diplomacy has stalled. Senator Lindsey Graham has encouraged Trump to apply pressure on Russia through trade and economic tools. Vice President JD Vance has also voiced support for Trump’s hands-on strategy.
However, critics are raising concerns about Trump’s relationship with Putin and whether his negotiations could come at the cost of Ukrainian sovereignty. Some fear that a deal brokered by Trump might involve territorial concessions or weaken NATO’s position in the region.
There has also been criticism of Trump’s treatment of Zelenskyy. Earlier this year, during an Oval Office visit, Trump reportedly called Zelenskyy “a dictator without elections,” leading to tension between the two leaders.
Still, Trump is pressing forward. “Hopefully it will be a productive day,” he wrote on Saturday. Whether the Monday phone calls bring peace or lead to more gridlock, the stakes could not be higher. The world will be watching closely.
