Key Points Summary:
- Trump says he’ll call Putin and Zelenskyy on Monday to end the Ukraine war
- The calls come after failed peace talks in Istanbul between Russia and Ukraine
- Trump described the war as a “bloodbath” and hopes for a ceasefire
- Ukraine and Russia agreed to a massive prisoner exchange
- A deadly drone attack on a civilian bus in Ukraine adds pressure
- Kremlin open to future talks but conditions remain unclear
- Trump’s direct involvement could shift the diplomatic landscape
Trump Ukraine War Talks: Trump Plans Explosive Putin, Zelenskyy Calls to End War
KYIV, UKRAINE — The countdown is on for one of the most dramatic diplomatic moments of the year.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump dropped a political bombshell Saturday morning, announcing that he’ll personally call Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday — and he’s aiming for nothing less than to end the war in Ukraine.
In a fiery post on his social media platform, Trump said, “Hopefully it will be a productive day, a ceasefire will take place, and this very violent war, a war that should have never happened, will end.”
After more than two brutal years of bloodshed, Trump’s plan to jump on the phone and attempt peace is raising eyebrows, stoking hope, and igniting fresh fury across both sides of the Atlantic.
“Bloodbath” Must End: Trump Says Putin Call Will Be First
Trump made it clear that Putin will be the first to hear from him. The focus? Stopping the “bloodbath” — Trump’s own word to describe Russia’s ongoing assault on Ukraine.
Trump didn’t reveal what exactly he plans to say to the Russian leader, but insiders say he’ll push for an immediate ceasefire and pressure Putin to move forward with peace talks after Istanbul negotiations failed to deliver even the most basic ceasefire.
Putin reportedly declined a face-to-face meeting with Zelenskyy last week, offering instead lower-level talks in Istanbul — a move seen as a diplomatic dodge by the West.
Zelenskyy Up Next: Can Trump Pull Off a Peace Deal?
After his call to Moscow, Trump plans to immediately call Zelenskyy to continue what he’s branding as his personal campaign to end the war.
While Trump hasn’t held public office since January 2021, he’s remained a dominant political force and now appears poised to thrust himself into the center of one of the world’s deadliest conflicts.
Zelenskyy, who has repeatedly pleaded for stronger U.S. support and tougher sanctions on Moscow, will be watching the outcome of Trump’s talks with extreme caution.
Ceasefire Dreams Crash in Istanbul — But Talks Spark Hope
Trump’s announcement comes just hours after the first direct talks between Ukraine and Russia in years ended without a ceasefire, though both sides agreed to a monumental prisoner swap — 1,000 POWs each.
While that’s a breakthrough in humanitarian terms, politically it’s a band-aid on a bullet wound.
Ukraine wants a “full and unconditional” ceasefire, a demand echoed by Western leaders. Russia, meanwhile, insists on its own vague “conditions,” without clarifying what they are.
Black Saturday: Civilian Bus Attack Stuns Ukraine
As the leaders postured and planned, the war’s brutality reared its head again.
In Bilopillia, a quiet northeastern Ukrainian town near the Russian border, a Russian drone strike hit a bus evacuating civilians, killing nine and injuring seven. Most of the victims were elderly women.
“This was a deliberate killing of civilians,” Zelenskyy declared, mourning what locals have dubbed “Black Saturday.”
The attack underscored just how urgent the need for peace has become — and how slim the chances appear with every passing day of violence.
NATO and Allies Wait as Trump Steps In
Trump has said he’ll also be calling NATO allies, including leaders from France, Germany, Britain, and Poland, to discuss the war and pressure both sides into making real progress.
The big question: Will NATO leaders trust Trump’s moves, or will they view them as political theater?
The Biden administration has kept largely quiet on Trump’s sudden re-entry into global diplomacy, but it’s no secret that U.S. officials have grown increasingly frustrated with stalemated talks and Ukraine’s diminishing position on the battlefield.
Putin’s Next Move: Kremlin Issues a Cautious Statement
The Kremlin didn’t confirm Trump’s upcoming call but left the door open to future talks.
Russian officials said they’ll present Ukraine with a list of ceasefire conditions, but no timeline or specific details were offered. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin might be open to talking with Zelenskyy — but only after further progress is made through diplomatic channels.
Trump’s high-profile entry might just be the jolt needed to break the deadlock — or it might further complicate already tangled lines of negotiation.
Why Now? Trump’s Strategy and the 2024 Shadow
Some experts believe Trump’s sudden decision to involve himself in Ukraine peace talks is no accident. With the 2024 U.S. election looming and Trump leading polls in several key states, projecting global leadership may be part of a broader strategy to present himself as the only man who can “fix the mess.”
And for Trump, nothing makes a louder headline than a call with Putin and a war-ending peace deal.
The Bigger Picture: Ukraine’s Worsening Battlefield Reality
While politics dominate the headlines, Ukraine faces a grim reality. Military analysts warn that Kyiv’s forces are slowly losing ground in a war of attrition, with Russian troops pressing into the Kursk region and deepening their grip on strategic locations.
Zelenskyy has warned that Ukraine’s negotiating power is shrinking and has pushed for continued U.S. arms shipments and stronger sanctions to keep Russia from dictating the terms of peace.
Peace Deal or Political Show? World Awaits Trump’s Monday Moves
No matter how you view Trump — as a disruptor, a dealmaker, or a showman — Monday’s calls have the world on edge.
Could Trump actually broker a ceasefire? Or will his involvement add yet another twist in an already chaotic war?
One thing is certain: The stakes have never been higher.
What to Watch on Monday: Trump’s Peace Gamble
Who: Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy
What: Trump to personally call both leaders in a bid to end the war
When: Monday, May 19, 2025
Where: Trump HQ and via secure lines to Moscow and Kyiv
Why It Matters: First direct Trump-led peace effort since 2022
Outcome: Unknown — but pressure is mounting fast
Final Word: Trump Sets the World Stage for a Ceasefire Showdown
With lives hanging in the balance, global diplomacy paralyzed, and two presidents at war, Donald Trump has inserted himself into history’s next big gamble.
Will Monday bring peace — or just more posturing? The world is watching, waiting, and holding its breath.
Stay tuned.
4o
