Will Trump Speak with Putin and Zelensky on Monday?
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Synopsis
On May 18, US President Donald Trump revealed plans to hold separate conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday. The discussions aim to address the ongoing conflict and promote a ceasefire, as both nations prepare for new negotiations and a significant prisoner exchange.
Key Takeaways
- Trump is set to speak with both Putin and Zelensky on Monday.
- The discussions focus on achieving a ceasefire.
- Recent negotiations led to a significant prisoner exchange agreement.
- Zelensky expresses skepticism about Moscow's intentions.
- The Ukrainian delegation will include military experts.
Washington, May 18 (NationPress) - US President Donald Trump announced that he will engage in separate discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday, aiming to advocate for a ceasefire agreement between the two nations.
Trump stated, "I will be speaking, by telephone, to President Vladimir Putin of Russia on Monday, at 10:00 a.m.," in a Saturday post on Truth Social. He emphasized that the focus of the call will be to halt the ongoing 'bloodbath' that results in the deaths of over 5,000 soldiers from both Russia and Ukraine weekly, along with discussions on trade.
Following this, Trump mentioned he would also converse with President Zelensky of Ukraine and, subsequently, with several NATO members alongside Zelensky.
"Hopefully, it will be a constructive day," he expressed, with aspirations that a ceasefire could be established.
In a meeting concluded in Turkey's Istanbul on Friday, representatives from Russia and Ukraine reached an agreement to initiate a new series of negotiations and conduct a significant prisoner swap. The two-hour discussions led to an understanding for a prisoner exchange involving 1,000 individuals from each party, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Earlier, on Thursday, President Zelensky of Ukraine confirmed that a Ukrainian delegation would participate in the forthcoming peace talks in Istanbul with an intention to conclude the conflict with Russia, although he would not attend the negotiations personally.
After discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday at the Ukrainian embassy in Ankara, Zelensky informed the press that Ukraine plans to send representatives to Istanbul.
Zelensky reiterated Ukraine's willingness to engage in dialogue but expressed skepticism regarding Moscow's sincerity, according to Xinhua.
He pointed out that Ukraine did not identify any 'decision-makers' from the Russian delegation expected to attend the talks.
The Ukrainian delegation will be led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, alongside experts in military and intelligence, as Zelensky highlighted, adding that Ukraine is awaiting validation from both Washington and Moscow regarding the precise timeline for the discussions.
Point of View
Our perspective remains firmly with our nation, advocating for peace and diplomacy. The upcoming discussions between Trump, Putin, and Zelensky are critical to address the humanitarian crisis and work towards a resolution that benefits all parties involved.
NationPress
16/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of Trump's calls with Putin and Zelensky?
Trump aims to negotiate a ceasefire and discuss the ongoing conflict's impact on both nations.
What recent agreements were made between Russia and Ukraine?
Delegations from both countries agreed to initiate new negotiations and conduct a significant prisoner exchange.
Who is leading the Ukrainian delegation in the upcoming talks?
The Ukrainian delegation will be headed by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, accompanied by military and intelligence experts.
