Trump Announces Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire Talks, But Kremlin Signals Caution on Timeline

 Washington/Moscow— U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday announced that Russia and Ukraine will begin immediate negotiations aimed at securing a ceasefire and ultimately ending the war, following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, the Kremlin signaled that while discussions would continue, a resolution would take time and careful negotiation.

In a social media post following the call, Trump said he had briefed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and the leaders of the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, and Finland during a group call about the outcome of his conversation with Putin.

“Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a ceasefire and, more importantly, an END to the war,” Trump stated, later telling reporters at the White House that “some progress is being made.”

Putin welcomed Trump’s involvement, thanking him for backing renewed direct dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv. However, the Russian president was more reserved, stating that while talks were “generally on the right track,” the process would require time and diplomacy.

“We have agreed with the president of the United States that Russia will propose and is ready to work with the Ukrainian side on a memorandum on a possible future peace accord,” Putin said during a press briefing in Sochi.

The announcement follows last week’s talks in Turkey, which marked the first face-to-face meeting between Ukrainian and Russian delegations since March 2022. Despite renewed dialogue, no significant breakthrough has yet been achieved.

European leaders, meanwhile, responded to Trump’s briefing by pledging to increase pressure on Moscow through additional sanctions. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed the move in a post on X (formerly Twitter), signaling the EU’s continued commitment to a tougher stance on Russia.

Trump, however, held off on imposing new U.S. sanctions. “There’s a chance of getting something done,” he told reporters. “But there could be a time where that’s going to happen.” He cautioned that prematurely escalating pressure could backfire and complicate ongoing negotiations. “There are some big egos involved,” Trump remarked, suggesting he might walk away from the process if it stalls. “This is not my war.”

Complex Path Ahead for Peace Talks

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov noted that Trump and Putin also discussed the possibility of a prisoner exchange involving nine Russians and nine Americans. The two leaders did not settle on a timeline for a ceasefire, he said.

Russian officials emphasized the challenges ahead. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that while Moscow is prepared to pursue a ceasefire agreement, the development of a unified peace memorandum would involve “complex contacts” and intricate negotiations.

“There are no deadlines, and there cannot be any,” Peskov said, citing the complexity of the issues involved. “Of course, everyone wants to do this as quickly as possible, but the devil is in the details.”

Former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt described the Trump-Putin call as “undoubtedly a win for Putin,” warning that Russia could use the talks to buy time while continuing military operations.

Ukraine Seeks Broader Diplomatic Engagement

President Zelenskiy expressed cautious optimism following the calls, stating that Ukraine remains open to direct negotiations with Russia “in any format that brings results.” He proposed a high-level meeting involving Ukraine, Russia, the United States, European Union countries, and the United Kingdom, possibly hosted by Turkey, the Vatican, or Switzerland.

Trump mentioned that Pope Leo had expressed interest in hosting the discussions at the Vatican, though Vatican officials have not yet confirmed.

Despite signs of renewed dialogue, skepticism remains. Some participants in the group call reportedly expressed concern over Trump’s reluctance to impose sanctions on Russia. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the conversation with Trump as “good,” emphasizing the importance of continued U.S. engagement.

Critics argue that Russia’s gestures may be aimed at forestalling new Western pressure while securing gains on the battlefield. With Russian forces currently controlling approximately one-fifth of Ukraine, President Putin has remained firm on his demands — including the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from regions claimed by Moscow.

Putin said the memorandum under development would lay out key principles for settlement and a timeline for any future agreement. “The main thing for us is to eliminate the root causes of this crisis,” he said.

As negotiations inch forward, the international community continues to watch closely, balancing hopes for peace with caution over the Kremlin’s intentions.