Sun May 18 04:40:16 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

The article reports on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire. Despite recent prisoner exchange agreements between Russia and Ukraine, violence continues with drone attacks causing civilian casualties. U.S. President Trump plans to speak with Russian President Putin and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, hoping to broker a ceasefire. However, the Kremlin insists further agreements must be reached before a high-level meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy can occur.

**News Article:**

**Trump to Speak with Putin and Zelenskyy in Push for Ukraine Ceasefire**

**Kyiv – May 18, 2025** – U.S. President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he will be speaking with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an attempt to end the conflict in Ukraine. The announcement comes a day after the first direct talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials in over three years resulted in an agreement for a prisoner exchange.

“I will speak with Mr. Putin on Monday to discuss finding a way out of the BLOODBATH,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Afterwards, I will speak to Zelenskyy and NATO officials, expressing hope that a ceasefire will take place, and this very violent war… will end.”

Despite the planned diplomatic intervention, violence continues in Ukraine. A Russian drone attack on a minibus in the Sumy region killed nine civilians on Saturday. Drone strikes were also reported in the Kyiv region on Sunday, resulting in further casualties.

Zelenskyy reiterated his call for increased sanctions against Russia, stating, “Without stronger sanctions, without stronger pressure on Russia, there will be no real diplomacy there.”

While Russia acknowledged Zelenskyy’s request for a meeting with Putin, the Kremlin insists that further agreements must be reached before such a meeting can take place. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized the importance of completing the planned prisoner exchange and establishing each side’s vision for a ceasefire.

The prisoner exchange, agreed upon on Friday in Istanbul, would see Russia and Ukraine exchange 1,000 prisoners each. Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, Kirillo Budanov, expressed hope that the exchange would occur next week.

Both Moscow and Washington have emphasized the necessity for dialogue between Putin and Trump to address the conflict.

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