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Former President Donald Trump said his two-hour phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday was “excellent,” and that negotiations between Russia and Ukraine to end the war will “immediately start.”
The announcement, made during a press conference Monday afternoon, represents Trump’s most direct intervention in the two-year-long war since returning to the White House. Trump claimed both sides are showing signs of wanting peace, though he acknowledged, “Very big egos involved, I tell you.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed he spoke with Trump following the U.S.-Russia call and joined a subsequent conversation with NATO leaders, urging the United States to stay engaged in the peace process.
“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,” Zelenskyy said in a statement on social media. “Ukraine has always been ready for peace.”
Trump also revealed that Pope Leo XIV has offered to host future negotiations, potentially giving the Vatican a symbolic role in the peace talks.
Though Putin has offered no clear public sign of willingness to halt his offensive in Ukraine, Trump told reporters he believed the Russian leader was serious.
“I did say, ‘It’s time, you gotta stop this thing.’ And I believe he wants to stop,” Trump said. Asked if he trusts Putin, Trump simply replied, “I do.”
The White House has not yet released a transcript or summary of the call, but officials confirmed Secretary of State Marco Rubio joined the conversation. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Rubio played a key role in emphasizing the need for tangible steps toward de-escalation.
Speaking to CBS’s Face the Nation over the weekend, Rubio had predicted progress would only come through direct Trump-Putin dialogue.
Vice President JD Vance, who met with Zelenskyy in Rome on Sunday, said Trump discussed both humanitarian concerns and economic incentives with Putin.
“The message was clear: if you’re willing to stop the killing, the United States is willing to be a partner for peace,” Vance told reporters.
Trump added that Russia is eager to reestablish trade relations with the U.S. once the war ends.
“There is a tremendous opportunity for Russia to create massive amounts of jobs and wealth,” Trump said in a written statement.
Still, Trump warned that if progress stalls, the U.S. could pull out of talks, leaving Europe to “keep going.”
“This was a European situation,” he said, suggesting the U.S. may reduce its role unless real diplomatic movement happens quickly.
On Friday, Russia and Ukraine held lower-level talks in Istanbul, attended by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. Those talks ended after just two hours but led to a mutual agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war, a rare sign of cooperation between the warring parties.
While Trump’s engagement has drawn praise from some quarters, Zelenskyy and NATO leaders remain cautious.
“If Russia isn’t ready to stop the killings, there must be stronger sanctions,” Zelenskyy warned, emphasizing that pressure on Moscow must remain high until a full ceasefire is secured.
It remains unclear whether Putin’s private assurances will translate into public commitments, or whether a lasting peace agreement is within reach. But with the U.S. now pushing negotiations at the highest level, momentum appears to be building.
