**US President Trump Announces Russia and Ukraine to Negotiate Ceasefire**
In a surprise move, US President Donald Trump has announced that Russia and Ukraine will “immediately” start negotiating towards a ceasefire and an end to the war. This comes after a two-hour phone call with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, which Trump described as having gone “very well”.
According to Trump, conditions for peace would need to be negotiated between the two parties. He also spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who urged the US not to distance itself from talks. Zelensky reaffirmed Ukraine’s desire for a “full and unconditional ceasefire” and warned that if Moscow is not ready, “there must be stronger sanctions”.
**Putin Agrees to Work on Memorandum**
Putin said he was ready to work with Ukraine on a “memorandum on a possible future peace agreement”. However, this did not address demands from the US and European countries for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire. The Russian president described his call with Trump as “frank, informative and constructive”.
**Ukrainian Leaders Call for Stronger Sanctions**
Zelensky held a second call with Trump after the US president spoke to Putin, which also included President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, and the leaders of France, Italy, Germany, and Finland. Von der Leyen said it was “important that the US stays engaged” in the peace talks.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed Pope Leo’s offer to host potential peace talks at the Vatican. Earlier this month, the new Pope offered the Vatican as a venue for possible peace talks after Putin turned down Zelensky’s offer to meet face-to-face in Turkey for negotiations.
**Kyiv Skeptical of Putin’s Intentions**
Kyiv has previously said Putin’s comments saying he desires peace are hollow. “Putin wants war,” Andriy Yermak, a top aide to the Ukrainian president, said after Russia launched what Ukraine said was its biggest drone attack since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.
**Temporary Ceasefires Have Failed Before**
Russia has declared ceasefires before – but only temporary ones. It declared one for 8-11 May, which coincided with victory celebrations to mark the end of World War Two, but Kyiv would not sign up to it, saying Putin could not be trusted and that an immediate 30-day ceasefire was needed.
The Kremlin announced a similar, 30-hour truce over Easter, but while both sides reported a dip in fighting, they accused each other of hundreds of violations. It remains to be seen whether this latest development will lead to a more lasting peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine.
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