In a significant diplomatic move,
President Donald Trump announced that
Russia and Ukraine will commence immediate ceasefire negotiations after a productive call with
Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump described the ongoing conflict as a 'bloodbath,' with casualties exceeding
5,000 soldiers weekly from both sides.
During the call, Trump stressed the importance of halting the violence and indicated that the negotiations would be directly between the two nations, as they understand the nuances of the situation better than any external party. He stated, 'The conditions of the bilateral talks will be negotiated between the two parties directly.'
Following the call, Trump also communicated with
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders, including
French President Emmanuel Macron and
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, to inform them of the developments. Macron urged Putin to accept a
30-day unconditional ceasefire proposal.
Despite the optimism surrounding the negotiations, there are concerns regarding Trump's perceived affinity for Putin, which could potentially disadvantage Ukraine in the discussions. The Kremlin has made its conditions for a ceasefire clear, including Ukraine's non-NATO membership and recognition of Crimea as Russian territory.
Neither side has shown willingness to compromise, raising questions about the effectiveness of the upcoming talks.
Sources: 
President Donald Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine will begin immediate ceasefire negotiations following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump emphasized the need to stop the ongoing conflict, which has resulted in over 5,000 casualties weekly among soldiers from both nations.
