President Donald Trump claimed in a Truth Social post shared Monday that Pope Leo XIV is "very interested" in hosting ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
Following a two-hour call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump announced Russia and Ukraine "will immediately start negotiations toward a ceasefire" and a potential end to the war. The two countries have been in conflict since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, with the war escalating in 2022.
The conditions for the ceasefire will be negotiated, per Trump's Truth Social post shared Monday, but he stated "the tone and spirit of the conversation were excellent."
Trump also claimed Russia is interested in pursuing large-scale trade with the U.S. "when this catastrophic 'bloodbath' is over," asserting that such economic engagement would "create massive amounts of jobs and wealth" for the region. He added that Ukraine could also benefit as it begins the process of rebuilding.
President Trump wrote that he has informed Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, France's President Emmanuel Macron, Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Finland's President Alexander Stubb that negotiations are moving forward.
Additionally, Trump claimed that "the Vatican, as represented by the Pope, has stated that it would be very interested in hosting the negotiations."
"Let the process begin!" he added.
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