Trump says Russia and Ukraine “immediately” begin talks about ending the war

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Donald Trump said on Monday that Russia and Ukraine will begin peace negotiations “immediately”, although Vladimir Putin has not made any fundamental change in the Kremlin position.

After a two -hour call between American and Russian presidents, Trump published that “Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations towards the ceasefire, and most importantly, the end of the war.”

In the comments that indicated that Washington may return to any role as a mediator between the warring parties, Trump said the Vatican would be “very interested” in hosting the conversations, adding: “Let the process begin!”

Putin’s conversation readings with the American president were more initial. The Russian president said he was “ready to work” with Kiev on a memorandum to frame future conversations, which could include a ceasefire “for a certain period of time.”

Putin told government media correspondent that the conversation with Trump was “very frank and therefore very useful.” But he did not announce any major transformations in the position of Russia in the war in Ukraine.

Putin said: “We have agreed with the American president that Russia will propose it as ready to work with the Ukrainian side on a memorandum on the possible future peace agreement,” Putin said.

Trump spoke to Ukrainian President Folodimir Zellinski in a separate phone call earlier in the day.

The Russian President’s comments come a week after refusing to attend peace talks with Ukraine in Turkey, prompting Trump to say that “nothing will happen” until he and the Russian president met.

Trump indicated his willingness to meet Putin’s conversations in Türkiye.

On Monday, the Russian president said that the memo will include “the principles that will be on the peace agreement, the timing of a possible peace agreement” and “a potential ceasefire for a certain period of time, if certain agreements are reached.”

However, Putin added that Russia’s main goal is to “eliminate the root causes of this crisis”, in a language indicating that his main demand remains unchanged.

Diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have accelerated in recent weeks, as Russia and Ukraine have held direct talks in Istanbul on Friday, the first of which was the beginning of a three -year war.

Trump pledged to end the war on the first day of his second term, but peace has proven far, as both sides are still separated.

In European capitals, leaders fear that Trump could cut a deal with Putin, who tops his maximum demands and sells Ukraine interests on his calf to end the fighting.