US President Donald Trump is expected to hold a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin today, dedicated to the possibilities for peace in Ukraine, Reuters reports. European leaders, at the same time, are urging the Kremlin to accept an immediate cessation of hostilities, BTA reports.
“The topic of the conversation will be ending this “bloodbath“, in which an average of more than 5,000 Russian and Ukrainian soldiers die per week, as well as issues related to trade,“ Trump wrote on the social network Truth Social. “I hope the conversation will be productive and this brutal war - a war that should never have happened - will end.“
Trump said that achieving lasting peace was unlikely without a personal meeting with Putin. The phone call is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (2:00 p.m. GMT), with the Kremlin confirming that it was preparing the conversation.
At the same time, the United States has made it clear that it may impose new sanctions on Russia if Moscow does not take peace talks seriously. Trump said he would also speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as with the leaders of some NATO countries.
Putin, whose forces control about a fifth of Ukraine and are leading an offensive, has remained firm on peace terms despite repeated pressure from Trump and European countries.
Yesterday, Russia carried out its largest drone attack on Ukraine since the start of the conflict. According to Ukrainian intelligence, Moscow also planned to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile, but there has been no confirmation from the Russian side.
In June 2024 Putin said Kiev must formally abandon its desire to become a member of NATO and withdraw its troops from the four regions partially occupied by Russia that Moscow claims.
European leaders doubt Putin's sincerity about peace, but also express concerns that Trump could support a peace deal that would deprive Ukraine of significant territory and security against future Russian attacks.