On May 19, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine would “immediately start negotiations” for a ceasefire to end their three-year war, following a two-hour call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, per Reuters.
Trump, posting on Truth Social, suggested the Vatican, represented by the Pope, could host the talks. However, per AP News, no confirmation has emerged from the Vatican or Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Speaking near Sochi, Putin stated that the talks were “on the right track” and that Russia would propose a memorandum outlining the principles and timelines for a settlement. He emphasised the importance of addressing the “root causes” of the war. He thanked Trump for supporting direct Russia-Ukraine discussions, which resumed last week in Turkey after a hiatus since 2022. However, those talks failed to secure a truce.
Negotiation Challenges
According to CNN, Kyiv has expressed readiness for a ceasefire, while Moscow insists on conditions like Ukraine’s neutrality. Hamas’ flexibility on hostage releases for a two-month truce contrasts with Israel’s demand for Gaza’s demilitarisation. A senior Israeli official noted little progress in Qatar’s Doha talks.
According to Bloomberg, U.S. Vice President JD Vance warned Washington might disengage if Russia doesn’t negotiate seriously.
European leaders, including those from Britain, France, Germany, and Italy, urged Trump to join new sanctions on Russia for resisting a ceasefire, per France 24. The White House’s Karoline Leavitt said Trump seeks a ceasefire but is “weary” of both sides, keeping sanctions “on the table,” per NBC News.
Russia currently occupies approximately 20% of Ukraine and continues to make advances, according to The Washington Post. Trump is advocating for an end to Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II, following the support of arms from the U.S. and Western nations for Ukraine. As discussions progress, the specifics of the memorandum and the feasibility of a ceasefire remain uncertain, with global attention focused on Doha.
