Russia and Ukraine will start immediate ceasefire negotiations following Donald Trump's call with President Putin, marking a historic step towards peace.

Russia and Ukraine will start immediate ceasefire negotiations following Donald Trump's call with President Putin, marking a historic step towards peace.

"Russia and Ukraine Begin Ceasefire Talks After Trump-Putin Call"

U.S. President Donald Trump said Russia and Ukraine have agreed to start urgent ceasefire talks, a major step that might change the course of the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe. This declaration comes after President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke over the phone for two hours on May 19, 2025. The announcement has generated cautious optimism, but it also calls into doubt the viability and sincerity of the suggested negotiations.

A Watershed in the Trump-Putin Dialogue?

Following a lengthy phone conversation with President Putin, President Trump declared that Russia and Ukraine would "immediately" begin ceasefire talks. Trump said, "Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a Ceasefire and, more importantly, an END to the War" on his social media network, Truth Social.

The Kremlin's reaction, meanwhile, was more reserved. Although they acknowledged the discussion, Russian officials stressed that no timelines had been set for the start of the talks and that the process would take time.

Different Views: Russia, Ukraine, and the United States

The strategy taken by President Trump differs from earlier U.S. policies. "I do believe he wants to end it," he said, expressing confidence in President Putin's intentions. He also hinted that he was hesitant to put additional sanctions on Russia, arguing that doing so might impede future advancements.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, however, is still dubious. Russia sent more than 100 drones into Ukraine after the statement, a move Zelenskyy denounced as proof of Russia's lack of commitment to pursuing true peace. He emphasized the need for more robust sanctions and support while restating calls for greater international pressure on Moscow.

European Allies: Unexpected

The U.S.-Russian talks surprised and alarmed European leaders. Concerns about being left out of important negotiations have arisen as a result of the absence of prior contact with European partners. The head of the International Centre for Defence and Security, Kristi Raik, said that Putin appeared to persuade Trump of Russia's commitment to peace, casting doubt on the Kremlin's actual goals.

European countries have responded by stepping up their efforts to demonstrate their involvement in the peace process. In order to guarantee that European interests and Ukraine's sovereignty are respected in any upcoming negotiations, the "Weimar+" alliance—which is made up of France, Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom, and Italy—was formed.

"Nothing About Ukraine Without Ukraine" is a principle.

The idea of "Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine," which emphasizes that all talks pertaining to Ukraine's future must include Ukrainian representation, is at the heart of the discussion. Particularly since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, this idea has served as a pillar of Ukraine's foreign strategy.

Proposing high-level talks between Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and European countries—possibly sponsored by neutral parties like Turkey, the Vatican, or Switzerland—President Zelenskyy has continuously argued for direct participation in peace negotiations.

Challenges to Come: Verification and Trust

Even with the announcement of upcoming negotiations, a number of obstacles remain. The parties' trust in one another is still brittle. The complexity of the situation is highlighted by Russia's latest drone attacks, which continued even after Trump and Putin's phone conversation. Furthermore, Ukraine is unlikely to agree to Russia's demands, which include the annexation of occupied Ukrainian lands and a permanent ban on Ukraine joining NATO.

Critics further contend that President Trump's strategy would unintentionally give President Putin more confidence. Former Russian chess champion and political exile Garry Kasparov attacked Trump's approach to the matter, claiming Putin is taking advantage of Trump's conceit and lack of strategic depth.

In conclusion, is this a strategic pause or a step forward?

A potential turning point in the long-running conflict is the declaration of immediate ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine, which were made possible by President Trump's involvement with President Putin. However, there are many obstacles in the way of peace, such as conflicting goals, mistrust between parties, and the difficulties of international diplomacy.

All parties, particularly Ukraine, must actively participate in the negotiations if there is to be any real progress. To guarantee a fair and long-lasting solution, the tenet that "Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine" must be respected. The world will be watching intently to see if this initiative is a strategic pause in an ongoing fight or if it signals the start of the end of hostilities.