Trump Plans Call With Putin to End War

Former President Donald Trump announced plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, outlining a desire to negotiate a cessation of hostilities in Ukraine and discuss trade. Trump revealed the scheduled 10:00 a.m. call via his Truth Social account on Saturday, stating his intention to address the ongoing conflict which he estimates results in over 5,000 Russian and Ukrainian soldier casualties weekly. He intends to follow the conversation with Putin with separate discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and representatives from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Trump expressed hope for a “productive day” leading to a cease-fire and an end to what he characterized as a “very violent war that should have never happened.” This announcement follows direct talks held in Istanbul, Turkey, on Friday between Russian and Ukrainian officials, though neither Putin nor Zelensky attended. While Zelensky had publicly advocated for a face-to-face meeting with Putin contingent on a preliminary cease-fire, Putin declined both the meeting and direct participation in the Istanbul summit. Zelensky, however, did meet with Turkish President Recep Erdoğan in Ankara.

A significant outcome of the Istanbul talks was an agreement for the largest prisoner exchange of the war, with each nation committing to release 1,000 prisoners of war. Discussions regarding a potential cease-fire and a presidential meeting also occurred, according to Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who led his country’s delegation.

The proposed 30-day cease-fire, previously put forward by European and U.S. officials, has been accepted by Ukraine, but remains stalled due to Putin’s insistence on the fulfillment of unspecified demands.

Trump’s direct engagement with Putin, even as a former president, is a noteworthy development. While the stated goal of ending the bloodshed is laudable, the effectiveness of unilateral outreach without a clear, unified international strategy remains questionable. The insistence on preconditions by Russia continues to be the primary obstacle to de-escalation, and it’s unclear what leverage Trump intends to employ to overcome this impasse. The situation demands a delicate balance of pressure and diplomacy, and the outcome of Monday’s call will be a crucial indicator of whether a meaningful path toward peace can be forged.