President Donald Trump said after more than two hours of appeal with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Moscow and Kiev will “start negotiations soon” towards the ceasefire and the end of the war.
Putin said efforts to end the conflict seemed “on the right track” and that Moscow was ready to work with Ukraine in a memorandum of understanding on future peace deals.
Putin thanked Trump for supporting the resumption of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine, saying that Trump pointed to Russia’s support for peace, but the key issue was how to move towards peace.
“We agreed with the US President that Russia is ready to work with the Ukrainian side in a memorandum of understanding on the possibility of a future peace agreement, and that we propose to define many positions, such as the principles of settlement, and the timing of the peace agreement.”
A ceasefire could arise if a proper contract is reached, Putin said, adding that direct consultations between Russia and Ukraine “give us reason to believe we are generally on the right track.”
“Overall, I would like to note that Russia’s position is clear. The main thing for us is to eliminate the underlying cause of this crisis,” Putin said. “We need to determine the most effective way to move towards peace.”
The comments cited by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov by the Russian provincial press suggested there was no urgency from Moscow’s part to the next step.
“There is no deadline, there is nothing. It’s obvious that everyone wants to do this as soon as possible, but of course the devil is in the details,” Peskov said.
On his side, Trump said the phone was very good. In a post about the Truth Society, he said the Vatican was “very interested in holding negotiations, as represented by the Pope. Let’s start the process!”
Later on Monday, Trump said it was “great” to hold a ceasefire meeting in the Vatican.
Regarding his call with Putin, Trump told him: “When will we finish this, Vladimir?” He added that there could be a time when sanctions will be imposed on Russia without providing details.
Reported from Moscow, Al Jazeera’s Julia Shapovalo said it was “very important” to Putin.
“He (Putin) believes that the US can solve the problem because of its impact. Vladimir Putin initially believes that the US was standing behind Ukraine in this conflict, and he is the mastermind behind it,” Shapovarova said.
“So it was important to talk directly with Donald Trump and the US to address the so-called root causes of conflict.”
Diplomatic momentum
Trump called Ukrainian President Voldy Mee Zelensky and European leaders. Zelenskyy argued that if Putin does not commit to a ceasefire, stronger sanctions against Russia should be imposed.
The Ukrainian president has updated Kiev’s call for a “complete and unconditional ceasefire.” He said his country is ready to negotiate with Russia in Switzerland, Switzerland or the Vatican.
“There is no need to convince Ukraine, and our representatives are ready to make a real decision in negotiations,” Zelenskyy said in a statement. “What is needed is that mirrors are ready from Russia to engage in meaningful consultations.”
Zelenskyy also called for the continued involvement of the US to resolve the conflict, saying it is important for the US to “not distance itself.”
Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said he welcomed Pope Leo XIV’s preparations for European and American leaders to hold talks on the Russian Ukrain at the Vatican.
Meloni’s office said European leaders, including Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Prime Minister Friedrich Merz, spoke to Trump after a call with Putin.
“Work is currently underway to start negotiations between the parties that can lead to a ceasefire as soon as possible and build conditions for a fair and lasting peace in Ukraine,” Meloni’s office said in a statement.
“In this respect, the Holy Father’s willingness to hold consultations at the Vatican was considered positive. Italy plays its role in promoting contact and working for peace,” the statement added.
Finland President Alexander Stubb highlighted the importance of “adjusting” in the US and Europe, saying that the call between Trump and European leaders lasted for an hour, “productive.”
Promising to bring a quick end to Europe’s most deadly war since World War II, Trump repeatedly called for a ceasefire several years after Washington joined other Western countries with Ukrainian armaments.
Putin recently rejected an offer by Zelensky to meet in person in Turkiye due to talks between the two countries suggested by Russian leaders as an alternative to a 30-day ceasefire urged by Western allies, including Ukraine and Washington.
These decisive in-person meetings — the first in three years, between delegations from Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul on Friday — were short and only agreed to exchange 1,000 war prisoners, according to the heads of both delegations, the biggest exchange since the start of the war.
A Ukrainian official familiar with the discussions said that Russian negotiators had requested that the troops be drawn from all areas Moscow claimed before Kiev agreed to a ceasefire. It is a red line for Ukraine, and as it is, Russia has no complete control in those regions.
Kyrylo Budanov, director of the Ukrainian intelligence news agency, told Ukrainian television on Saturday that exchanges could occur as early as this week.
Concluding the four-day trip to the Middle East, Trump said on Friday that Putin hadn’t been to Istanbul because Trump himself wasn’t there.
“He and I will meet, and I don’t think we’ll solve that or not,” Trump told reporters after boarding Air Force 1. “At least we’ll know, and if we don’t solve it, it’s going to be very interesting.”
European leaders want the US to take part in imposing tough new sanctions on Russia if they continue to refuse a ceasefire. Leaders from Britain, France, Germany and Italy spoke with Trump on Sunday ahead of their call with Putin.
Reported from Kiev, Al Jazeera’s John Hendren said there had been muted reactions in Ukraine so far.
“There are probably not many celebrations unless the details are much more clear than we’ve seen before,” Hendren said.
The call came the day after Russia launched its biggest drone attack on Ukraine since the start of the war.
Ukrainian intelligence agency said it believes Moscow intended to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile on Sunday, but there was no confirmation from Russia.