Trump and Putin in Talks: A High-Stakes Call to End the War in Ukraine

A Crucial Call After the Failure of Peace Talks in Istanbul

Amid a deadlock in diplomatic efforts, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a long-awaited phone call on Monday, May 19, in a bid to “end the bloodshed” in Ukraine. The exchange, described as “important” by the Kremlin, comes days after largely unproductive peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow in Istanbul.

Speaking on his platform Truth Social, Donald Trump had expressed hope that the conversation would lead to “a productive day,” and that a ceasefire might finally be agreed to in the brutal conflict that has ravaged Ukraine since 2022. The White House confirmed the call began at 4:50 p.m. (Paris time).

Continued Violence on the Ground

This diplomatic initiative follows a week of heightened tensions and ongoing violence. On the ground, Russian attacks have continued unabated. Over the weekend, a Russian drone strike hit a minibus in the Sumy region, killing at least nine people.

Cautious Optimism on Both Sides

Ahead of the call, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff said he anticipated a “fruitful” discussion. The Kremlin, for its part, reaffirmed its preference for a “diplomatic” resolution to the conflict, but acknowledged the challenges ahead. “A laborious and possibly lengthy process awaits us,” said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

Skepticism in Washington and Kyiv

However, skepticism remains strong on both sides of the Atlantic. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance questioned whether Putin was truly “serious about negotiating peace,” and warned that “if Russia isn’t ready, we will have to recognize that this is not our war to fight.” He added that Putin “perhaps doesn’t know how to exit this war himself.”

In Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the creation of a “permanent and expanded national negotiation group” and reiterated Ukraine’s call for a “complete and unconditional ceasefire.” He also expressed readiness for direct talks with Russia and criticized Moscow for prolonging the conflict.

European Leaders Mobilized

Following the Trump-Putin conversation, the American president is scheduled to call Zelensky to brief him on the discussion. Trump’s spokesperson confirmed the U.S. leader is working “as fast as possible” to find a path to peace.

Elsewhere, European officials are stepping up efforts to contain the conflict. The European Commission and Finland announced a €90 million arms package for Ukraine, financed by revenues from frozen Russian assets. Germany urged China to shoulder its “global responsibility for peace,” while Denmark openly criticized Beijing’s support for Russia.

Diplomatic Moves at the Vatican

Meanwhile, the Vatican played host to a series of high-level diplomatic encounters. J.D. Vance met with Zelensky during the inauguration mass of Pope Leo XIV. The two had not met since their tense exchange at the White House in February.

Macron’s Ceasefire Appeal

Adding symbolic weight to the diplomatic flurry, President Emmanuel Macron held a joint call with several European leaders, including Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, ahead of Trump’s conversation with Putin. Macron urged the Russian leader to demonstrate his willingness for peace by accepting Trump’s proposal for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, which is supported by Ukraine and the EU.

Experts Remain Cautious

As Western powers try to pressure Moscow toward a ceasefire, analysts remain cautious. Some, like Franco-Russian war reporter Cyrille Amoursky, denounce the “naïveté” of believing that Putin will genuinely halt his military campaign. Others, such as Russia expert Hélène Blanc, doubt Trump’s resolve: “He won’t dare tell Putin to stop bombing or implement sanctions.”

Moscow Tightens Control over Civil Society

In parallel, tensions continued to rise between Moscow and international civil society. The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office declared Amnesty International an “undesirable” organization, accusing it of promoting “Russophobic projects” and supporting “neo-Nazi crimes” in Ukraine.

Europe Prepares for a Post-Atlantic Future

On a separate geopolitical front, the U.K. and the European Union signed a new security and defense agreement in London on Monday. The move aims to reinforce strategic cooperation in response to the ongoing war and growing concerns over possible U.S. disengagement from European affairs.