Russia and Ukraine Ceasefire : Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks to Begin Immediately, Says Trump After Putin Call

Russia and Ukraine Ceasefire : Following a two-hour call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine would begin immediate ceasefire negotiations. Kremlin seeks resolution of core issues including Crimea and Donbas.

Washington/Sochi | May 20, 2025 – In a dramatic development that could mark a turning point in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, former US President Donald Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine will begin immediate negotiations for a ceasefire and peace agreement. The announcement came after Trump’s two-hour phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday.

“Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine will begin immediately,” Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social, signaling a possible breakthrough in the war that has lasted over three years.

Putin: “Efforts Are On the Right Track”

Speaking shortly after the call from the Black Sea resort town of Sochi, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed Moscow’s willingness to engage in peace talks.

“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 in a press briefing.

He emphasized that the memorandum would cover key aspects such as the principles of settlement and the timeline for a potential peace deal.

Kremlin Stresses “Root Causes” Must Be Resolved

Putin reiterated Russia’s long-standing position that the “root causes” of the conflict must be addressed before a lasting peace can be achieved. He cited the status of Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye, regions that have either declared independence or voted to join Russia in controversial referendums held in 2014 and 2022.

“The main thing for us is to eliminate the root causes of this crisis,” Putin said, underlining Moscow’s non-negotiable demands regarding territorial sovereignty.

No Immediate Response from Kyiv

As of press time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had not publicly responded to Trump’s announcement. However, sources indicate that Zelenskyy had a brief conversation with Trump prior to the latter’s call with Putin.

Ukraine has consistently maintained that it is ready for a ceasefire, but insists that any negotiations must uphold Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. Moscow, on the other hand, has signaled that preconditions must be met before peace talks can progress.

US Vice President JD Vance Issues Caution

Adding a layer of complexity to the situation, US Vice President JD Vance earlier warned that Washington may withdraw from the peace process if progress stalls.

“We’re going to try to end it, but if we can’t end it, we’re eventually going to say: ‘You know what? That was worth a try, but we’re not doing any more,’” Vance told reporters.

He acknowledged that the situation had reached “a bit of an impasse”, but expressed hope that the Trump-Putin dialogue could pave the way forward.

A Glimmer of Hope Amidst Uncertainty

While the announcement has sparked cautious optimism, questions remain about the feasibility of peace, especially given the stark differences between Moscow’s demands and Kyiv’s red lines. The international community is watching closely as the proposed memorandum of understanding takes shape in the coming days.