President Donald Trump provided a positive summary of his Monday conversation with Vladimir Putin concerning the cessation of the violent conflict in Ukraine, even suggesting that Russia and Ukraine consider using the Pope as a mediator.
Trump mentioned that his discussion with Putin went ‘very well,’ although neither leader announced any progress toward reaching a ceasefire to halt the ongoing suffering.
Instead, Trump conveyed that Russia and Ukraine would conduct direct negotiations, as they are familiar with the specifics, proposing that these discussions could potentially take place at the Vatican under the oversight of the new Pope Leo.
He also dangled potential ‘large scale’ trade between the U.S. and Russia, an inducement he has floated throughout his efforts to bring the war to a conclusion. The U.S. slapped a barrage of sanctions on Moscow after its 2022 invasion of its neighbor. Ukraine, Trump said, could also be a ‘beneficiary’ as it seeks to rebuild its war-ravaged country, a possible reference to the minerals deal inked between Washington and Kiev.
He said negotiations ‘will begin immediately’ – days after teams of Russian and Ukrainian officials met in Turkey.
Trump wrote on his Truth Social site Monday: ‘Just completed my two hour call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia. I believe it went very well. Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a Ceasefire and, more importantly, an END to the War. The conditions for that will be negotiated between the two parties, as it can only be, because they know details of a negotiation that nobody else would be aware of. The tone and spirit of the conversation were excellent.’
‘If it wasn’t, I would say so now, rather than later. Russia wants to do largescale TRADE with the United States when this catastrophic “bloodbath” is over, and I agree. There is a tremendous opportunity for Russia to create massive amounts of jobs and wealth. Its potential is UNLIMITED.’
‘Likewise, Ukraine can be a great beneficiary on Trade, in the process of rebuilding its Country. Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine will begin immediately. I have so informed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, of Ukraine, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, President Emmanuel Macron, of France, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, of Italy, Chancellor Friedrich Merz, of Germany, and President Alexander Stubb, of Finland, during a call with me, immediately after the call with President Putin. The Vatican, as represented by the Pope, has stated that it would be very interested in hosting the negotiations. Let the process begin!’
Pope Leo would ‘if necessary, make the Vatican, the Holy See, available for a direct meeting between the two parties,’ Cardinal Pietro Parolin, secretary of state for the Holy See, said Friday, dangling the potential use of the venue for peace talks.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Monday that Vice President JD Vance ‘passed along’ a letter to the Pope from Trump and the first lady ‘extending their warm wishes and inviting them to the White House as soon as they possibly can come.’
Putin in his own remarks called the phone call ‘very meaningful’ and ‘very, very informative and helpful.’
Trump spoke to Putin after calling for an end to the ‘bloodbath’ in Ukraine that began with Russia’s 2022 invasion.
Trump indicated that he would urge Putin to stop the ‘bloodbath’ in Ukraine, after spending weeks highlighting reports he says he gets on the grim casualty estimates.
‘The subjects of the call will be, stopping the ‘bloodbath’ that is killing, on average, more than 5,000 Russian and Ukrainian soldiers a week, and trade,’ Trump wrote on his Truth Social site.
‘I will then be speaking to President Zelensky of Ukraine and then, with President Zelensky, various members of NATO,’ he said. That timeline was contradicted by the government in Kiev, which said Trump spoke to Zelensky before the Putin call was underway.
President Donald Trump spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin after negotiators in Turkey failed to agree to a ceasefire
Vice President JD Vance met with Zelensky in Rome at the U.S. ambassador’s residence Sunday as leaders attended Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass.
‘I´d say we’re more than open to walking away,’ Vance said before departing Rome.
The call was the first time Trump and Putin are believed to have spoken since February.
‘The conversation is important given the talks that took place in Istanbul,’ said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the Tass news agency reported.
‘It is preferable to achieve our goals through political and diplomatic means, of course,’ Peskov said.
Trump said during the campaign that he would easily end the conflict ‘quickly’ and that it would take him ‘no longer than one day.’
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dodged when asked Monday morning for specifics in advance of Trump’s call and whether Trump would push Putin to accept a ceasefire.
Trump and Putin aren’t believed to have spoken since February
Russia’s war has taken a withering toll on civilians and infrastructure in Ukraine since the 2022 invasion
‘The president has made it clear his goal is to see a ceasefire and to see this conflict come to an end. And he’s grown weary and frustrated with both sides of the conflict,’ Leavitt said.
‘The President and his team have put an enormous amount of effort in solving this very complicated war,’ she added.
Leavitt wouldn’t answer when asked if Trump thinks Putin is the ‘good guy’ or the ‘bad guy’ in the conflict.
‘I’ll let the president speak on that conversation later,’ she said.
