On May 19, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine would “immediately” commence ceasefire negotiations following a two-hour phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump described the conversation as having gone “very well” and indicated that both sides were ready to engage in talks aimed at ending the ongoing conflict.
However, the Kremlin tempered expectations, stating that while discussions would begin, the process would take time and no specific deadlines had been set. Putin emphasized the need to address the “root causes” of the conflict, including Russia’s demands for the demilitarization of Ukraine and limitations on Western influence.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s readiness for an unconditional ceasefire and called for increased global pressure on Russia to pursue genuine peace. He also expressed willingness to meet Putin in a neutral location, with the Vatican among the potential hosts for the talks.
Despite the announcement, analysts remain cautious, noting that significant hurdles remain before a ceasefire can be achieved. The ongoing military operations and Russia’s stringent conditions suggest that while talks may begin, a resolution to the conflict is not imminent.
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