Putin-Trump phone call concludes - RIA

Putin-Trump phone call concludes - RIA

The long-awaited phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump concluded on Monday, marking a significant step in the ongoing efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine. The call, which was not being actively prepared according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov [2], was part of a series of diplomatic initiatives aimed at achieving a ceasefire.

The call came amidst growing international pressure on Russia to engage seriously in peace talks. Both Ukraine and its Western allies have accused Moscow of dragging its feet and have pushed for fresh sanctions if Russia fails to take the peace process seriously. The leaders of Britain, France, Germany, and Italy held a phone call with Trump on Sunday, discussing the need for an unconditional ceasefire and the use of sanctions as a leverage [1].

The phone call between Trump and Putin was preceded by a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. Vice President JD Vance, where they discussed possible sanctions against Russia and the need for a ceasefire. Zelensky also expressed his willingness to meet Putin face-to-face, a clear attempt to goad the Russian leader who rarely leaves Russia [3].

The call between Putin and Trump was seen as a crucial step in the peace process, but it remains to be seen whether it will yield concrete results. Both sides have previously stressed the need for a meeting on the conflict between Putin and Trump, and the U.S. president has argued that "nothing's going to happen" on the conflict until he meets Putin face-to-face [1].

The international community has been growing increasingly impatient with Moscow's refusal to stop fighting and start negotiating. The U.S. administration has repeatedly threatened to pull out as a mediator if there isn't progress soon, and dozens of U.S. senators are currently working on legislation to unveil more sanctions targeting Russia if the peace talks flounder [3].

The call between Putin and Trump is part of a broader diplomatic effort to end the conflict in Ukraine, which has destroyed large swathes of the country and displaced millions of people. The international community is hoping that the call will lead to a ceasefire and a lasting peace agreement.

References:
[1] https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250519-trump-to-hold-call-with-putin-in-push-for-ukraine-ceasefire
[2] https://www.tradingview.com/news/reuters.com,2025:newsml_S8N3R604D:0-putin-trump-meeting-not-currently-being-prepared-ria-cites-kremlin-as-saying/
[3] https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/russia-ukraine-peace-talks-putin-zelenskyy-turkey-1.7534143