"On the Right Track": Putin Agrees to Draft Ceasefire Memo After Trump Call on Ukraine War

In a turn of diplomatic events, U.S. President Donald Trump announced Monday that Russia and Ukraine "will immediately start negotiations" to end their three-year war — a surprise development revealed following a two-hour phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to Reuters, the announcement came via Trump's Truth Social platform, where the president declared that the two nations would pursue a ceasefire and initiate formal peace talks. Trump added that the Vatican, "as represented by the Pope," had expressed interest in hosting the negotiations, urging, "Let the process begin!"

While Moscow publicly welcomed the initiative, Ukraine's response was muted. There was no immediate comment from President Volodymyr Zelensky, though a source told Reuters that the Ukrainian leader had a brief call with Trump just before his longer conversation with Putin.

The Kremlin, for its part, said the groundwork for peace talks was taking shape. Speaking from Sochi on Russia's Black Sea coast, Putin said a proposed memorandum would lay out "principles of settlement" and a potential timeline for peace. "We are generally on the right track," Putin told reporters, adding that Russia is prepared to work with Ukraine on a possible peace accord.

But Putin made it clear that Moscow still expects certain conditions to be met. "The main thing for us is to eliminate the root causes of this crisis," he said, hinting that any ceasefire would require substantive concessions from Kyiv.

Still, key members of Trump's administration struck a cautious tone. Vice President J.D. Vance, speaking before the Putin call, warned that Washington might abandon the effort if Moscow isn't serious. "It takes two to tango," Vance told reporters in Italy. "If Russia is not willing to do that, then we're eventually just going to say, 'This is not our war.'"

Echoing that sentiment, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Trump's desire for a ceasefire, but said the president is "weary and frustrated with both sides of the conflict." When asked whether new sanctions against Russia were still being considered, she added, "I think everything's on the table."

Meanwhile, European allies are watching closely. Leaders from the U.K., France, Germany, and Italy reportedly spoke with Trump on Sunday, urging the U.S. to join in applying pressure on Russia for a ceasefire.