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According to US President Trump, Russia and Ukraine will immediately begin negotiations for a ceasefire. He stated this after a phone call with Russian President Putin, who was less definitive. Ukraine has yet to respond.
The two leaders spoke for over two hours. Prior to the call, Trump spoke with Ukrainian President Zelensky. Trump claimed on his social media platform Truth Social that the conversation with Putin went "very well." The Vatican, he said, is willing to organize the negotiations.
Putin was less concrete, stating Russia is open to discussing the principles of a peace agreement. He suggested a ceasefire could be declared after an agreement is reached. Ukraine and its European allies, however, insist on a ceasefire first.
Trump reportedly briefed EU Commission President Von der Leyen, French President Macron, Italian PM Meloni, and German Chancellor Merz after the call.
An anonymous Ukrainian source involved in earlier talks said Russia made "unacceptable demands," such as full military withdrawal from Ukrainian-controlled territories. Putin has long claimed readiness to negotiate but has not indicated willingness to drop earlier conditions, including Ukraine's disarmament and exclusion from NATO.
