Moscow [Russia], May 19 (ANI): U.S President Donald Trump is expected to speak with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on a phone call on Monday.
This follows the face-to-face meeting of U.S Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Rome on Sunday, marking the first time both leaders met after their public face-off in the White House Oval Office this February.
Trump had announced on Saturday in a post on Truth Social that he would hold talks with Putin over the phone at 10 am ET (7:30 pm India time) on Monday, followed by calls to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and leaders of NATO countries — France, UK, Germany, and Italy.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed to TASS news outlet that preparations for the conversation are underway. Russian state media reported that the two leaders last spoke on March 18, focusing on Ukrainian and West Asian settlements and bilateral relations. During that conversation, Putin supported Trump’s idea of a ceasefire in Ukraine but expressed some reservations. Following the call, Putin ordered an end to strikes on energy facilities and instructed the Russian Armed Forces to cease shelling. However, TASS noted that there was no reciprocal move from the Kiev regime.
Before that, Putin and Trump held a telephone conversation on February 12.
Ahead of today’s call, Trump had written on Saturday in his Truth Social post, “The subjects of the call will be stopping the ‘bloodbath’ that is killing, on average, more than 5,000 Russian and Ukrainian soldiers a week, and trade.”
Representatives from Ukraine and Russia held face-to-face talks in Turkey last Friday, which ended without any breakthrough.
After his Sunday meeting with Zelensky in Rome, Vance posted on X, “Our countries share the goal of ending unnecessary bloodshed in Ukraine, and we discussed updates on the ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire and lasting peace.” The post included a photo of him with Zelensky, both smiling.
Zelensky also shared a picture with Vance, adding a “thank you” note.
“Good meeting with JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Rome. We discussed the talks in Istanbul, where the Russians sent a low-level delegation with no decision-making powers,” the Ukrainian leader posted on X.
He added, “We also discussed the need for sanctions against Russia, bilateral trade, defense cooperation, battlefield situation, and upcoming prisoner exchange. Pressure is needed against Russia until they are willing to stop the war. And, of course, we talked about our joint steps to achieve a just and durable peace.”
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday spoke to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, stressing the US commitment to ending the conflict, according to State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce. (ANI)
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