Ukraine: Trump’s attempt to end the war peaks with a challenge to Putin

Donald Trump’s effort arrived at a crucial turning point to secure peace In Ukraine, as Ukrainian Volodimir Zelensky caused Vladimir Putin to take part in talks this week.

After a weekend of intense diplomacy, Zelenski said he would travel in Istanbul On May 15, where Putin has proposed direct negotiations between the two countries.

A fragile process for peace in Ukraine

However, the fragile process is surrounded by doubts and unresolved differences – Zelenski and his European allies have insisted that Russia is starting a 30 -day truce on Monday and have threatened with a dramatic increase in sanctions if Putin refuses. They argue that the US would participate in this endeavor, although Trump himself was more cautious about his public comments, with Putin ignoring their demands, he says in a Post the Bloomberg.

« I will be in Turkey this Thursday, » Zelenski said late Sunday in his daily speech to the Ukrainians. « I hope this time, Putin will not look for excuses because he cannot come. We are ready to talk, end this war. « 

The US president gave a new impetus to diplomatic efforts to end the war on Thursday, inviting Putin and Zelenski to agree on a ceasefire, increasing the prospect of sanctions if the Russian troops do not. On Sunday, he continued, urging them to sit down and chat.

« MAKE THE MEETING, NOW !!! » Trump said in a post on the Truth Social website.

US Senator Lindsay Graham, Trump’s ally, said earlier this month that he has inter -party support for a bill that would set new sanctions against Russia that would « break bones », including 500% duties on imports from countries buying Russian products.

United Kingdom Foreign Minister David Lamia is set to present new sanctions against Russia on Monday, as Britain is hosting a meeting of European security ministers for the first time.

Developments and discussions

The move on Ukraine came in the midst of a storm of activities, as Trump is preparing to visit the Gulf States this week. The US has also announced progress in trade negotiations with China, nuclear talks with Iran, in Gaza war and contributed to the alleviation of tensions between India and Pakistan.

Trump has coordinated more with his European allies and Ukrainians in recent weeks as he tries to push Putin to end a war that lasts for more than three years. However, his public rhetoric has not been fully in line with their own, causing doubts about whether Trump is ready to start implementing a dramatic round of new sanctions.

I have just heard president Trump’s statement. Very Important Words.

I supported @Potus Idea of ​​a Full and Unconditional Ceasefire – Long Enough to Provide the Foundation for Diplomacy. And we want it, we are ready to up to the up on our end.

I Supported President Trump…

– Volodymyr Zelenskyy / володимир зеленський (@zelenskyyua) May 12, 2025

German Chancellor Friedrich Mertz, Emmanuel Macron of France, Kir Starmer of the United Kingdom, and Donald Tusk of Poland visited Kiev on Saturday in a demonstration of support for Zelenski, and they would essentially give them a new procedure. Her attacks on Ukraine.

Trump had approved their statement and had made it clear in private conversations that he would agree with them – even with additional sanctions, if needed, according to a European government official who knows the issue, who asked not to be named.

As midnight on midnight on Sunday, there was no evidence that Russia would reduce its attacks. Ukraine shot down 55 of the 108 unmanned aircraft that the Kremlin forces fired targets across the country overnight, the Army’s air defense at the Telegram early Monday.

Macron spoke again to his European counterparts on Sunday afternoon and then had talks with Zelenski and Trump to coordinate in the face of critical days, according to a statement from the Grand Elise.

En ukraine, unis. pic.twitter.com/qytl0gqwff

– Emmanuel Macron (@Mmanuelmacron) May 11, 2025

European leaders are holding their position that Russia should adhere to a ceasefire on Monday and will have to expect a strong response from Europe and the US if the attacks continue, a senior European official said on Sunday, adding that the US is fully supported.

Even further sanctions from the European Union would not be simple, as they require unanimity among the 27 members and Hungary has repeatedly delayed previous efforts.

The future of negotiations

While Russia is open to a dialogue to end its war in Ukraine, it is « resistant to all kinds of pressure, » Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told CNN on Saturday.

Putin’s demands to end the war have begun to cause a nuisance to Trump, who had promised and failed to offer peace within the first 100 days of his second term.

The Russian president has insisted that any agreement gives the Kremlin the full control of four areas in the eastern and southeastern Ukraine that were illegally annexed in 2022 – even if they have not been fully occupied by the Kremlin forces.

The US has, on the other hand, proposes to freeze the conflict, more or less, along the current lines of the front, leaving the largest part of Russia occupied in the hands of Moscow. The Trump government is also ready to recognize the Ukrainian region of Crimea that Putin annexed in 2014 as a Russian, Bloomberg said in April.

After Putin told reporters in the Kremlin over the weekend that he was ready for « serious conversations », Trump welcomed « a potentially great day for Russia and Ukraine! » In his post on social media.

Turkey had previously hosted talks between low -ranking Russian and Ukraine officials in 2022, just a few weeks after the full -scale invasion, but these negotiations collapsed after the slaughter of civilians were revealed by the Kremilos forces. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also played a role in the mediation for a 2022 agreement that would allow safe export of Ukrainian cereals.

Erdogan, the prospective host of Thursday’s talks, spoke with Putin on Sunday and said he hoped that the negotiations would lead to a « permanent solution » to the war, according to his office.

Putin told reporters in the Kremlin that talks should deal with the deeper causes of the conflict in Ukraine and establish a permanent peace. Moscow plans to participate in the talks « without any condition, » he added.

« We do not exclude that during these negotiations it will be possible to agree on some new truce, » he said.