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Sunday, May 18, 2025
Outside the box.
Trump to Discuss Ukraine Ceasefire with Putin and Zelenskyy
US President aims to broker peace talks amid ongoing conflict and recent violence in Ukraine.
Donald Trump has announced plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday in an effort to de-escalate the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
In a series of posts on his Truth Social account, Trump characterized the war as a "bloodbath," noting the significant toll it has taken on both Russian and Ukrainian forces, estimating that more than 5,000 soldiers are killed weekly on average.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that discussions were being arranged for the phone call between the two leaders.
The conversations come in the wake of recent events in which Ukraine expressed readiness for a ceasefire but faced "unacceptable" demands from Russia during preliminary talks in Istanbul.
These negotiations marked the first direct dialogue between the two nations since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. While Ukraine had previously offered a full and unconditional ceasefire to save lives, further demands from Russia regarding territorial control have complicated the situation.
Trump's call with Putin will precede a subsequent discussion with Zelenskyy, as well as NATO officials, as part of a broader effort by the United States to rekindle peace negotiations.
Trump expressed hope for a productive day of dialogue and the possibility of a ceasefire, stating that this war "should have never happened."
Considerable violence continues to unfold, underscored by a recent drone strike that resulted in the deaths of nine civilians in a passenger bus in Ukraine's Sumy region.
Zelenskyy condemned the attack as a deliberate act against civilians and called for increased sanctions on Russia to pressure the Kremlin into serious diplomatic considerations.
In light of these events, Trump's remarks about the military and financial situation in Ukraine have surfaced.
He has criticized the management of U.S. military aid to Ukraine, expressing concerns about the allocation of funds.
Additionally, he raised issues regarding tariffs, urging Walmart and other retailers not to pass increased costs onto consumers in response to his tariff policies.
There has also been a backdrop of global attention, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirming discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, advocating for the cessation of hostilities and referring to a recent Prisoner of War exchange agreement.
This aligns with broader international efforts aimed at resolving the conflict and reducing humanitarian suffering.
The dialogue anticipated between Trump, Putin, and Zelenskyy represents a complex interplay of geopolitical interests, military realities, and humanitarian concerns as the situation in Ukraine continues to be critical.
In a series of posts on his Truth Social account, Trump characterized the war as a "bloodbath," noting the significant toll it has taken on both Russian and Ukrainian forces, estimating that more than 5,000 soldiers are killed weekly on average.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that discussions were being arranged for the phone call between the two leaders.
The conversations come in the wake of recent events in which Ukraine expressed readiness for a ceasefire but faced "unacceptable" demands from Russia during preliminary talks in Istanbul.
These negotiations marked the first direct dialogue between the two nations since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. While Ukraine had previously offered a full and unconditional ceasefire to save lives, further demands from Russia regarding territorial control have complicated the situation.
Trump's call with Putin will precede a subsequent discussion with Zelenskyy, as well as NATO officials, as part of a broader effort by the United States to rekindle peace negotiations.
Trump expressed hope for a productive day of dialogue and the possibility of a ceasefire, stating that this war "should have never happened."
Considerable violence continues to unfold, underscored by a recent drone strike that resulted in the deaths of nine civilians in a passenger bus in Ukraine's Sumy region.
Zelenskyy condemned the attack as a deliberate act against civilians and called for increased sanctions on Russia to pressure the Kremlin into serious diplomatic considerations.
In light of these events, Trump's remarks about the military and financial situation in Ukraine have surfaced.
He has criticized the management of U.S. military aid to Ukraine, expressing concerns about the allocation of funds.
Additionally, he raised issues regarding tariffs, urging Walmart and other retailers not to pass increased costs onto consumers in response to his tariff policies.
There has also been a backdrop of global attention, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirming discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, advocating for the cessation of hostilities and referring to a recent Prisoner of War exchange agreement.
This aligns with broader international efforts aimed at resolving the conflict and reducing humanitarian suffering.
The dialogue anticipated between Trump, Putin, and Zelenskyy represents a complex interplay of geopolitical interests, military realities, and humanitarian concerns as the situation in Ukraine continues to be critical.
