United States President Donald Trump on Monday announced that Russia and Ukraine will “immediately start negotiations” aimed at reaching a ceasefire, following a more than two-hour phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The development comes amid renewed international efforts to halt a war that has stretched into its fourth year with heavy casualties and widespread destruction.
Speaking to reporters near the Black Sea resort of Sochi, President Putin confirmed that Moscow is prepared to engage with Ukraine on drafting a memorandum for a future peace accord. He noted that the talks could cover key aspects such as settlement principles and a possible timeline for a ceasefire.
“We have agreed with the president of the United States that Russia will propose and is ready to work with the Ukrainian side on a memorandum on a possible future peace accord,” Mr Putin said. “Direct talks between Russia and Ukraine give reason to believe that we are generally on the right track.”
Putin also thanked President Trump for encouraging the resumption of direct negotiations and reiterated Moscow’s stance that the root causes of the conflict must be addressed. “We just need to determine the most effective ways to move towards peace,” he said.
However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov cautioned against expecting swift outcomes. “There are no deadlines and there cannot be any,” he told state media on Tuesday. “Everyone wants this to happen as quickly as possible, but the devil is in the details.”
Vatican as possible host
President Trump, who described the call with Putin as “very good,” said on Truth Social that the Vatican had expressed interest in hosting the talks. “Let the process begin!” he posted. Later, while speaking to reporters, he remarked that the Vatican would lend “extra significance” to the proceedings if selected as the venue.
The former president also indicated the possibility of sanctions against Russia, though he did not provide specifics.
In Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the news but maintained that Russia must commit to a “full and unconditional ceasefire.” He reiterated Ukraine’s willingness to hold talks in Turkiye, Switzerland or the Vatican.
“It is not necessary to convince Ukraine. Our representatives are prepared to make real decisions in negotiations,” Mr Zelenskyy said. “What’s needed is a mirrored readiness from Russia to engage in meaningful talks.”
The Ukrainian president also stressed the importance of continued US engagement, stating that Washington’s role remained crucial in moving the process forward.
European backing and diplomatic momentum
The call between Trump and Putin was followed by consultations with European leaders. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said her office had spoken to several heads of state — including President Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz — in an effort to coordinate positions.
“In this regard, the Holy Father’s willingness to host the talks at the Vatican was considered positive,” the Italian premier’s office said. “Italy is ready to do its part to facilitate contacts and work for peace.”
Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who joined a subsequent call between Trump and European leaders, stressed the importance of transatlantic coordination and described the hour-long discussion as “productive.”
Mr Trump, who has long pledged to bring an end to what he calls “Europe’s deadliest war since World War II,” has pushed for a ceasefire even as successive US administrations have supported Kyiv militarily.
Al Jazeera’s Yulia Shapovalova, reporting from Moscow, said the call was “very important” for President Putin, who believes the United States has sufficient influence over Kyiv to help resolve the conflict.
“Putin believes that initially the US was standing behind Ukraine in this conflict, masterminding it,” she noted.
Obstacles remain
Despite the diplomatic flurry, significant hurdles remain. Last week’s talks in Istanbul — the first direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in three years — ended without a breakthrough. Delegations agreed only to a large prisoner exchange, which Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said could take place this week.
A senior Ukrainian official familiar with the talks said Russian negotiators demanded that Kyiv withdraw from all territories claimed by Moscow, a demand Ukraine has rejected outright.
President Putin, according to US officials, has thus far declined to meet Zelenskyy in person, even though he himself proposed such a meeting earlier as an alternative to a 30-day ceasefire suggested by Ukraine and its allies.
European leaders have signalled their readiness to impose new sanctions on Moscow should it fail to commit to a ceasefire. Leaders from Britain, France, Germany and Italy also spoke with Mr Trump prior to his call with Mr Putin.
Al Jazeera’s John Hendren, reporting from Kyiv, said the reaction in Ukraine has been cautious.
“There’s probably not going to be a lot of celebrations unless the details are much more revealing than what we’ve seen so far,” he said.
The talks come just days after Russia carried out its largest drone strike on Ukraine since the war began. Ukrainian intelligence also claimed that Russia planned to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile over the weekend, though this was not confirmed by Moscow.
