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U.S. President Donald Trump held a 2-hour phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, as he continues to try to get the Russia-Ukraine war brought to an end. Trump also spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy twice on Monday, just prior and again after his call with Putin.
After the flurry of phone calls, Zelenskyy released a statement claiming he is ready for a “full and unconditional ceasefire,” but he put the responsibility on Putin.
The Russia-Ukrainian conflict has been ongoing since February 20, 2014, and escalated into a full-blown war when Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
Zelenskyy’s full statement reads:
I spoke with @POTUS twice today. First, we had a one-on-one call before his conversation with the head of Russia, and later we spoke together with President Trump and European leaders President @EmmanuelMacron, Prime Minister @GiorgiaMeloni, Federal Chancellor @bundeskanzler, President @alexstubb, and President of the European Commission @vonderleyen.
This is a defining moment. The world can now see whether its leaders are truly capable of securing a ceasefire and achieving real, lasting peace.
At the beginning of our bilateral conversation, I reaffirmed to President Trump that Ukraine is ready for a full and unconditional ceasefire, as has spoken about, particularly the United States. It is important not to dilute this proposal. If the Russians are not ready to stop the killings, there must be stronger sanctions. Pressure on Russia will push it toward real peace – this is obvious to everyone around the world.
I also reiterated that Ukraine is ready for direct negotiations with Russia in any format that brings results. Türkiye, the Vatican, Switzerland – we are considering all possible venues. It is not necessary to convince Ukraine, and our representatives are prepared to make real decisions in negotiations. What’s needed is a mirrored readiness from Russia to engage in meaningful talks.
Together with European leaders, we also discussed possible next steps – in particular, meetings between negotiators and an objective assessment of each side’s proposals. Every proposal at the table deserves an honest evaluation, that’s why the negotiation process must involve both American and European representatives at the appropriate level. It is crucial for all of us that the United States does not distance itself from the talks and the pursuit of peace, because the only one who benefits from that is Putin. I thank everyone who supports this approach.
If Russia refuses to stop the killings, refuses to release prisoners of war and hostages, if Putin puts forward unrealistic demands, this will mean that Russia continues to drag out the war, and deserves that Europe, America, and the world act accordingly, including with further sanctions. Russia must end the war it started, and it can begin doing so any day. Ukraine has always been ready for peace.
I spoke with @POTUS twice today. First, we had a one-on-one call before his conversation with the head of Russia, and later we spoke together with President Trump and European leaders President @EmmanuelMacron, Prime Minister @GiorgiaMeloni, Federal Chancellor @bundeskanzler,… pic.twitter.com/mm6a0Pro84
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 19, 2025
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