U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, aiming to end what he called the ongoing “bloodbath” in Ukraine. The conversation is set to follow the first direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in over three years.
According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov, preparations for the call are underway. Trump has been pushing for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire and expressed hopes of negotiating a path to peace.
Earlier in the day, the Kremlin stated that a potential meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could happen—but only if the ongoing negotiations yield a concrete agreement.
The renewed dialogue between Russia and Ukraine began Friday in Istanbul, marking the first official talks since early 2022. The talks produced an agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners on each side.
On the battlefield, violence persisted. A Russian drone attack on a minibus evacuating civilians in Ukraine’s eastern Sumy region killed nine and injured five, local authorities said. President Zelensky condemned the attack, calling again for tougher international sanctions on Russia.
“Without stronger pressure, there will be no real diplomacy,” Zelensky said.
Ukraine’s Defense Minister, Rustem Umerov, who led the delegation in Istanbul, stated that a Zelensky–Putin meeting is the “next step.” Russia acknowledged the possibility but emphasized that such a meeting must follow tangible progress.
Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky noted that both countries would soon present their proposals for a ceasefire, though no timeline was given. For now, Kremlin officials say the focus remains on completing the prisoner swap agreed to in Istanbul.
Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov expressed hope that the exchange could be completed by next week.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump confirmed his Monday call with Putin and said he would also speak with Zelensky and NATO leaders soon after. “Hopefully, a ceasefire will happen and this very violent war will end,” he wrote.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio supported the progress in a phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, reiterating Trump’s demand for an immediate ceasefire.
Meanwhile, fighting continues. In the eastern Donetsk region, Russian forces claimed to have captured the village of Oleksandropil. In Sumy and Kherson, missile and drone strikes killed at least six people and injured over a dozen, including civilians and aid workers.
Zelensky criticized Putin for not attending the Istanbul talks, calling it a sign that Russia is not committed to genuine negotiations.
“Yesterday in Istanbul, everyone saw a weak and unprepared Russian delegation with no decision-making power. This must change,” Zelensky said.
He also urged the global community to respond firmly if talks fail, calling for increased sanctions during a summit in Albania.
French President Emmanuel Macron voiced confidence that Trump would respond to what he called Putin’s “cynicism.” Europe, Macron said, is working with Washington to prepare additional sanctions if Russia resists calls for a ceasefire.
A major sticking point remains Russia’s territorial demands. Ukraine’s negotiators rejected what they called “unacceptable” conditions. Moscow continues to claim sovereignty over five Ukrainian regions: four seized during its 2022 invasion, and Crimea, annexed in 2014.
