Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he intends to hold a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday to discuss prospects for halting the war in Ukraine. The announcement comes just days after rare in-person negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian officials were held in Istanbul—their first direct talks in three years. Trump, currently active on the political stage despite not holding office, appears to be positioning himself as a mediator in the long-running conflict.
Trump had recently visited the Gulf region and expressed willingness to join the Istanbul talks if both parties were open to his presence. He reportedly offered to fly to Turkey to help facilitate peace, but Russian President Putin declined the invitation. Despite this, Trump remains engaged, asserting that he has been pressuring both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to reach a ceasefire agreement to end the war, which is now entering its fourth year.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump confirmed that his call with Putin is scheduled for Monday at 10 a.m. Eastern Time (1400 GMT). He emphasized the urgency of the situation, writing, "THE SUBJECTS OF THE CALL WILL BE, STOPPING THE 'BLOODBATH' THAT IS KILLING, ON AVERAGE, MORE THAN 5000 RUSSIAN AND UKRAINIAN SOLDIERS A WEEK, AND TRADE." His statement reflects both a humanitarian concern for the mounting casualties and an interest in resuming or strengthening economic ties.
Trump also said he plans to speak with President Zelenskiy later in the day, along with various representatives from NATO member states. He expressed hope that these conversations could create momentum toward ending the conflict. "Hopefully it will be a productive day, a ceasefire will take place, and this very violent war, a war that should have never happened, will end," he added. Trump has repeatedly criticized the war as a result of failed diplomacy and weak international leadership.
Despite Trump’s efforts and optimism, Russian officials have shown little willingness to compromise on core demands. At the recent Istanbul peace talks, Russian negotiators reportedly insisted that Ukrainian forces completely withdraw from all territories claimed by Moscow—including areas internationally recognized as part of Ukraine—before any ceasefire could be considered. A senior Ukrainian official familiar with the negotiations said the Russian position made progress difficult, if not impossible.
The upcoming calls place Trump at the center of a renewed effort to revive diplomatic dialogue in a conflict that has devastated parts of Eastern Europe and strained global relations. Whether these talks will yield any concrete results remains uncertain, especially given Russia’s rigid stance and Ukraine’s refusal to cede territory. Nonetheless, Trump’s direct engagement signals an unusual and bold attempt by a former U.S. president to intervene in a major international crisis, possibly shaping perceptions of his foreign policy credentials ahead of the 2024 presidential election.