Mon May 19 19:49:19 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Following a lengthy phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, both leaders have expressed optimism about the prospect of ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Trump stated that negotiations would “immediately start,” while Putin indicated that efforts to end the conflict were “on the right track” and that Russia was ready to work with Ukraine on a peace accord memorandum. Putin thanked Trump for supporting direct talks and highlighted the need to address the “root causes” of the crisis. Trump suggested the Vatican could host the negotiations. While both sides appear to be moving towards direct negotiations, significant hurdles remain, including disagreements over territorial control and conditions for a ceasefire. Meanwhile, despite reports of a possible prisoner exchange, European leaders are pushing for tougher sanctions on Russia for its refusal to agree to a ceasefire.

**News Article:**

**Trump Claims Breakthrough as Russia and Ukraine Edge Closer to Ceasefire Talks**

Washington D.C. – Hopes for an end to the bloody four-year conflict in Ukraine have risen after a lengthy phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump announced that Moscow and Kyiv would “immediately start negotiations” towards a ceasefire, while Putin expressed that efforts to find a resolution were “on the right track.”

According to Putin, Russia is prepared to collaborate with Ukraine on a memorandum outlining the framework for a future peace accord. He thanked Trump for supporting direct talks between the two warring nations, suggesting that the U.S. President acknowledged Russia’s support for peace. Trump even suggested the Vatican as a potential host for the negotiations.

“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, defining a number of positions, such as, for example, the principles of settlement, the timing of a possible peace agreement,” Putin told reporters near the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

Trump, who has repeatedly pledged to bring a swift end to the conflict, conveyed details of the call to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders. However, Zelenskyy has maintained that stronger sanctions against Russia are necessary if Putin fails to commit to a ceasefire.

Despite the glimmer of hope, significant obstacles remain. A senior Ukrainian official revealed that Russian negotiators are demanding a full troop withdrawal from regions claimed by Moscow before agreeing to a ceasefire, a condition deemed unacceptable by Kyiv.

In a potentially positive development, Ukraine’s intelligence chief suggested a prisoner of war exchange, potentially involving 1,000 individuals, could occur as early as this week.

The news follows a recent rejection by Putin of Zelenskyy’s offer for in-person talks in Turkiye, a proposal initially suggested by the Russian leader himself as an alternative to a ceasefire.

The calls come amid escalating tensions, with Russia launching its largest drone attack on Ukraine since the start of the war, and unconfirmed reports of a possible intercontinental ballistic missile launch.

European leaders, meanwhile, are urging the United States to join them in imposing tougher sanctions on Russia for its continued aggression and refusal to agree to a ceasefire.

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