President Donald Trump announced on Monday (May 19) that Russia and Ukraine will begin negotiations toward a ceasefire. The announcement came after a two-hour phone call between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump expressed optimism about the talks, stating that the “tone and spirit of the conversation were excellent.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who also spoke with Trump, called for additional sanctions on Russia’s banking and energy sectors to pressure them into a ceasefire agreement. Zelensky mentioned potential locations for the talks, including Turkey, Switzerland, and the Vatican.
The call marks the third known conversation between Trump and Putin since Trump’s inauguration. Trump has grown frustrated with the ongoing conflict and aims to facilitate peace. He noted that Russia is interested in large-scale trade with the United States once the conflict ends, presenting significant economic opportunities for both nations.
Despite the positive outlook, Zelensky emphasized the need for continued pressure on the United States to implement further sanctions. The Ukrainian leader criticized Putin for not sending key decision-makers to previous talks in Istanbul, Turkey.
As negotiations are set to begin, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution to the conflict.
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