Trump to Urge Putin to End Ukraine ‘Bloodbath’ in High-Stakes Peace Call
Washington, May 19, 2025 – President Donald Trump is set to hold a critical phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin today at 10 a.m. to press for a ceasefire in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which he has described as a “bloodbath” claiming over 5,000 soldiers weekly. The call, announced in a Truth Social post on Saturday, aims to halt the violence that has persisted for over three years since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Trump also plans to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO leaders, expressing hope for a “productive day” that could lead to a ceasefire and end “a war that should have never happened.”
The call follows stalled peace talks in Istanbul last week, where Russian and Ukrainian delegations met for the first time since 2022 but failed to reach a ceasefire agreement. Russia sent a low-level delegation, and Putin declined Zelenskyy’s challenge for a face-to-face meeting, demanding Ukraine cede territories like Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Crimea, and pledge neutrality—conditions Ukraine deems unacceptable. The only progress was an agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war each.
Trump’s push for peace comes amid concerns in Kyiv that his reported affinity for Putin could lead to a deal favoring Russia, potentially pressuring Ukraine into territorial concessions or abandoning NATO aspirations. Military analyst Michael Clarke warned of a possible “carve-up” of Ukraine, describing any deal negotiated without Kyiv as a “suicide deal, take it or leave it,” which Ukraine would likely reject, prolonging the war.
European leaders, including those from Britain, France, Germany, and Italy, spoke with Trump on Sunday, urging Putin to accept a 30-day unconditional ceasefire proposed by Trump and backed by Ukraine and Europe. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need for Russia to engage seriously, with sanctions threatened if Moscow fails to comply. Zelenskyy, in a Saturday X post, called for stronger sanctions, criticizing Russia’s “weak and unprepared” delegation in Istanbul.
The Kremlin has outlined conditions for a ceasefire, including halting foreign military aid to Ukraine and ensuring “ironclad security guarantees” that Ukraine remains neutral and outside NATO. Putin has also expressed concerns about Ukraine using a ceasefire to rearm. Meanwhile, Trump has signaled openness to discussing land and assets, including the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, and has described NATO membership for Ukraine as “impractical.”
Posts on X reflect mixed sentiments, with some highlighting Trump’s ceasefire push and others expressing skepticism about Russia’s intentions, fearing a deal could cement Moscow’s control over seized territories. Despite Trump’s campaign promise to end the war swiftly, recent negotiations underscore the complexity of the conflict. As violence continues, with Russia launching intense drone attacks and shelling Ukrainian cities like Kherson, the outcome of today’s call remains uncertain but pivotal.
Sources: Newsweek, Sky News, NBC News, Reuters, TIME