WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a significant move on the global stage, former U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin today in a phone call aimed at halting the ongoing war in Ukraine. The call, set for 3 PM, follows mounting international pressure for an immediate ceasefire as the Ukraine-Russia conflict continues to claim thousands of lives.
Trump’s announcement comes days after he pledged to meet Putin “as soon as we can,” following Russia’s refusal to attend peace talks in Turkey. The Trump administration emphasized that only direct negotiations between Moscow and Washington could bring an end to what he described as a “bloodbath.”
“I will be speaking, by telephone, to President Vladimir Putin of Russia on Monday at 10am,” Trump posted on TruthSocial. “The subjects of the call will be stopping the ‘bloodbath’ that is killing, on average, more than 5,000 Russian and Ukrainian soldiers a week, and trade.”
The former president also plans to reach out to NATO leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to further support ceasefire efforts. In preparation, Zelensky held a series of urgent meetings in Rome on Sunday with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and key European leaders.
Tensions remain high as Ukraine’s military intelligence warns that Russia may test-launch an intercontinental ballistic missile as part of a psychological pressure campaign. Meanwhile, Russia carried out its largest drone assault since the start of the war, launching 273 drones and killing at least one woman in the attack.
Trump’s diplomatic push signals a renewed U.S. attempt to take a leading role in ending the conflict, even as questions remain about the effectiveness of bilateral efforts in resolving the broader geopolitical crisis.