Trump to Speak with Putin & Zelenskyy Monday, Pushes for Ceasefire/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump announced plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday to push for a ceasefire in Ukraine. His message follows failed peace talks in Istanbul and growing civilian casualties. Trump hopes Monday marks “a productive day” toward ending the ongoing conflict.
Ukraine War Ceasefire Talks: Quick Looks
- Trump says he will call Putin and Zelenskyy on Monday.
- He described the war as a “bloodbath” that must end.
- First direct Russia-Ukraine talks in years failed to achieve ceasefire.
- Russian drone strike killed 9 civilians in Ukraine’s Sumy region.
- Zelenskyy calls the attack “deliberate killing of civilians.”
- Kremlin rejects full ceasefire, proposes conditional negotiations.
- Russia’s Peskov leaves door open for direct leader-to-leader talks.
- Both sides agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war.
- Trump also plans to speak with NATO allies post-calls.
- Ceasefire efforts remain stalled amid continued violence across Ukraine.
Trump to Speak with Putin & Zelenskyy Monday to Push for Ceasefire
Deep Look
Trump to Call Putin, Zelenskyy in Push for Ukraine Ceasefire
KYIV, Ukraine — President Donald Trump announced he will speak with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday in a fresh attempt to broker peace in Ukraine. Trump posted the update on his Truth Social platform, expressing hope that “a ceasefire will take place” and the “very violent war” will come to an end.
“HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE A PRODUCTIVE DAY,” Trump wrote in all caps, declaring the war a “bloodbath” that should have never happened. The announcement follows failed negotiations in Istanbul — the first face-to-face talks between Russian and Ukrainian representatives in years.
Escalation on the Ground
Even as peace talks stall, the violence on the battlefield continues. On Saturday, a Russian drone strike hit a civilian evacuation bus in the northeastern Ukrainian town of Bilopillia, killing nine and injuring seven others, according to regional governor Oleh Hryhorov.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy condemned the attack as a “deliberate killing of civilians,” noting the obvious nature of the target — a civilian bus. Most of the victims were reportedly elderly women being evacuated from the front-line area. Authorities declared a mourning period in the town through Monday.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy called the strike “appalling” and urged Russia to accept the full ceasefire proposed by Ukraine and its allies. Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed a military target was hit nearby but made no mention of Bilopillia.
Peace Efforts Falter
Friday’s talks in Istanbul lasted less than two hours and ended without a ceasefire, although both sides agreed to a massive prisoner swap — 1,000 detainees each. Ukraine’s intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said the exchange could happen as soon as next week.
Despite this progress, deeper peace remains elusive. Russia has rejected Ukraine’s demand for a full and unconditional ceasefire, instead offering to present its own list of conditions. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said a potential Putin-Zelenskyy meeting depends on the success of the prisoner exchange and further negotiation progress.
Ukraine continues to propose high-level talks. “We are ready to sit down and talk to save lives,” Zelenskyy reiterated, expressing frustration over Russia’s reluctance. “Russia only retains the ability to continue killing.”
U.S. Involvement Intensifies
Trump’s planned calls mark a notable escalation in U.S. diplomatic engagement. In addition to speaking with Putin and Zelenskyy, Trump confirmed plans to speak with NATO leaders about Ukraine and the stalled peace process.
Zelenskyy has already been in contact with several Western leaders, including those of Germany, France, Britain, and Poland, advocating for sanctions if Russia refuses to end hostilities.
Friday’s talks were seen as a last-ditch effort to initiate a truce before the summer offensive season. With no agreement in place, heavy fighting is expected to continue, especially near the contested Sumy and Kharkiv regions.
Battlefield Dynamics and Regional Tensions
Ukrainian forces are reportedly pushing into Russia’s Kursk region, with conflicting reports on whether the area is under complete Russian control. Kyiv claims the fighting is ongoing, while Moscow declared last month it had recaptured the territory. Kursk was previously the site of Ukraine’s largest cross-border operation in 2024.
Elsewhere, Ukrainian officials reported at least five additional civilian deaths due to Russian shelling, drones, and airstrikes across Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Kherson. Ukraine’s air force said it intercepted 36 of 62 drones launched overnight, with six more diverted off course.
Can a Ceasefire Happen?
While Trump’s announcement brings renewed global focus to diplomacy, analysts remain cautious. The Kremlin has yet to outline its specific terms for a ceasefire, and Ukraine insists only a full cessation of violence is acceptable.
Putin’s aide and lead negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, said Moscow is reviewing Ukraine’s proposal for a presidential-level meeting but provided no clear timeline.
Still, both sides agreed to exchange draft ceasefire frameworks — a small but significant sign of continued dialogue. Whether Trump’s intervention can accelerate momentum remains uncertain.
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