Ukraine: Putin, Trump Discuss Peace Talks; Sides Signal Readiness for Ceasefire Negotiations

After his call with Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the press and shared details of the conversation, Orda.kz reports.

According to Putin, the discussion lasted more than two hours and focused primarily on resolving the conflict in Ukraine and exploring possible paths to peace.

He added that Trump acknowledged Russia’s stated commitment to a peaceful resolution of the crisis in Ukraine.

The Russian leader also expressed Moscow’s readiness to work on a memorandum with Ukraine that would outline conditions for a ceasefire.

We are prepared to move in this direction. However, halting hostilities will only be possible once the relevant agreements are reached. It is necessary to find compromises acceptable to all parties,Putin emphasized. 

On May 15, Russian and Ukrainian representatives met in Istanbul in a closed-door session. The meeting lasted around two hours.

The two sides reached an agreement for a large-scale prisoner exchange involving 1,000 individuals from each side. In addition, Kyiv proposed direct talks between the two countries’ leaders.

Trump later described the call with Putin as "successful."

In a post on Truth Social, he stated that Russia and Ukraine would soon begin negotiations not only for a ceasefire but, more importantly, to end the war.

According to Trump, Moscow also expressed interest in launching major trade relations with the United States after the war ends. He called Russia’s economic potential “limitless.”

The U.S. president added that Ukraine, too, would benefit from postwar reconstruction and new trade opportunities.

Trump later told reporters he wouldn't impose new sanctions because there's a "chance" for a ceasefire.

He added that there could be a time when that would happen.

Original Author: Rustam Muratov, Second Article