Trump to speak with Putin, Zelensky on Monday

IANS May 18, 2025 254 views

US President Donald Trump is preparing to conduct high-stakes diplomatic phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday. The primary objective of these conversations is to push for a comprehensive ceasefire and potentially reduce the ongoing military casualties. Trump hopes to facilitate a breakthrough in negotiations after recent talks in Istanbul showed some preliminary progress. The calls represent a significant diplomatic effort to de-escalate tensions and potentially pave the way for peace discussions.

"Hopefully it will be a productive day" - Donald Trump
Washington, May 18: US President Donald Trump said that he will speak separately with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday to push for a ceasefire deal between the two countries.

Key Points

1

Trump seeks direct diplomatic intervention in Russia-Ukraine conflict

2

Aims to negotiate prisoner exchange and potential ceasefire

3

Calls scheduled separately with Putin and Zelensky

"I will be speaking, by telephone, to President Vladimir Putin of Russia on Monday, at 10:00 a.m.," Trump said, on Saturday, in a post on Truth Social, adding that 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.

Trump said he will "then be speaking to President Zelensky of Ukraine and then, with President Zelensky, various members of NATO."

"Hopefully it will be a productive day" and "a ceasefire will take place," he said.

Concluding their meeting in Turkey's Istanbul on Friday, delegations of Russia and Ukraine agreed to hold a new round of negotiations and have a large-scale prisoner exchange. As a key outcome of the two-hour talks, the two sides agreed to a prisoner exchange involving 1,000 people from each side, Xinhua news agency reported.

Earlier on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that a Ukrainian delegation would attend the upcoming peace talks in Istanbul with a commitment to ending the conflict with Russia, though he would not personally show up at the negotiating table.

At the Ukrainian embassy in Ankara following talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday, Zelensky told reporters that Ukraine would send a delegation to Istanbul.

Zelensky said Ukraine remained committed to dialogue but expressed doubts about Moscow's intentions, Xinhua news agency reported.

He told reporters that Ukraine did not see "any decision-makers" from the Russian delegation who will be present at the talks.

The delegation will be led by Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, alongside professionals, including military and intelligence officers, Zelensky remarked, noting that Ukraine is awaiting confirmation from both Washington and Moscow on the exact schedule for the talks.

Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
Finally some movement towards peace! The world can't afford this war to continue. India has always stood for peaceful resolution of conflicts. Hope Trump can mediate effectively 🤞
P
Priya M.
Interesting timing...wonder if this will impact oil prices which affect our economy so much. India imports so much oil and this war has made everything expensive for common people.
A
Amit S.
While peace is important, India should maintain its balanced approach. We have good relations with both Russia and the West. Our foreign policy has served us well in this crisis.
S
Sunita R.
The prisoner exchange is a positive step but I doubt Putin will agree to ceasefire. Russia seems determined to continue. Hope I'm wrong though - so many lives lost already 😔
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Vikram J.
Why is Trump getting involved now? Elections coming up? Feels like political drama. India should focus on strengthening ties with both sides regardless of US politics.
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Neha P.
The world needs peace, but at what cost to Ukraine's sovereignty? As Indians who value our independence, we should understand their position. Hope the talks bring justice, not just ceasefire.

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