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**Summary:**
Efforts to de-escalate the conflict in Ukraine are ongoing but fraught with obstacles. Former President Trump plans to speak with Putin and Zelenskyy, hoping for a ceasefire, following unproductive talks in Istanbul. A proposed prisoner swap offered a glimmer of hope, but disagreements remain over a ceasefire. Meanwhile, a Russian drone strike on a civilian evacuation bus in Bilopillia resulted in nine deaths, drawing international condemnation. Ukraine continues to push for sanctions against Russia. Russia appears to have been striking back near the border, and potentially, the Ukrainian forces may have been inching forward into Russian territory.
**News Article:**
**Ceasefire Hopes Dwindle as Civilian Bus Strike Mars Ukraine Conflict**
**KYIV, Ukraine** – Hopes for a swift end to the war in Ukraine dimmed over the weekend after a Russian drone strike killed nine civilians near the Russian border in the Sumy region and peace talks stalled. Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday, seeking to broker a ceasefire.
Trump expressed optimism on his social media platform, Truth Social, stating he hoped for a productive day that would end the “very violent war, a war that should have never happened.”
Trump’s move follows unproductive talks in Istanbul.
“Hopefully, it will be a productive day, and a ceasefire will take place, and this very violent war, a war that should have never happened, will end.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed preparations were underway for the call.
Meanwhile, tragedy struck the town of Bilopillia, where a Russian drone hit a passenger bus evacuating civilians, killing nine people. Local officials declared a period of mourning. Zelenskyy condemned the attack as a deliberate killing of civilians.
The attack drew condemnation from European allies. U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy called it appalling, while the German Foreign Office called the strike “unsurpassed in cynicism.”
The Istanbul talks on Friday yielded an agreement for a prisoner swap. Kyrylo Budanov, said that the exchange could happen as early as next week.
Despite the prisoner swap agreement, Russia appears to have been striking back near the border, and Ukrainian forces may have been inching forward into Russian territory.
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