By GEOFF EARLE and JAMES REYNOLDS

Published: 11:20 BST, 20 May 2025 | Updated: 11:20 BST, 20 May 2025

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Donald Trump heralded 'impressive' prospects for ties with Russia after his two-hour call with Vladimir Putin on Monday. The U.S. leader was upbeat in his summary of the call, saying it went 'very well', while the Kremlin stressed the warm nature of the conversation.

Donald Trump heralded ‘impressive’ prospects for ties with Russia after his two-hour call with Vladimir Putin on Monday. The U.S. leader was upbeat in his summary of the call, saying it went ‘very well’, while the Kremlin stressed the warm nature of the conversation.

The pair addressed each other by their first names and Putin congratulated Trump on the birth of his grandson, Kremlin foreign aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters. Trump said: 'Vladimir, you can pick up the phone at any time, I will be happy to answer, I will be happy to talk to you,' Ushakov said. But despite the cordiality, neither side came away from the call with a clear timeline for a Ukraine ceasefire - though Trump said talks would begin 'immediately'. Trump said that Russia and Ukraine would negotiate directly between themselves since they 'know the details', suggesting Pope Leo XIV could host the talks.

The pair addressed each other by their first names and Putin congratulated Trump on the birth of his grandson, Kremlin foreign aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters. Trump said: ‘Vladimir, you can pick up the phone at any time, I will be happy to answer, I will be happy to talk to you,’ Ushakov said. But despite the cordiality, neither side came away from the call with a clear timeline for a Ukraine ceasefire – though Trump said talks would begin ‘immediately’. Trump said that Russia and Ukraine would negotiate directly between themselves since they ‘know the details’, suggesting Pope Leo XIV could host the talks.

The new pontiff did offer up the Vatican as a venue for peace talks after the first direct talks in Istanbul appeared to break down after just an hour and a half. Putin said after the call that Russia would work with Ukraine on a memorandum about a peace accord, and that Russia and the U.S. were separately working on a new prisoner swap. Trump wrote on his Truth Social site Monday that he completed a 'two hour call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia.' 'I believe it went very well. Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a Ceasefire and, more importantly, an END to the War,' he went on. 'The conditions for that will be negotiated between the two parties, as it can only be, because they know details of a negotiation that nobody else would be aware of. The tone and spirit of the conversation were excellent.'

The new pontiff did offer up the Vatican as a venue for peace talks after the first direct talks in Istanbul appeared to break down after just an hour and a half. Putin said after the call that Russia would work with Ukraine on a memorandum about a peace accord, and that Russia and the U.S. were separately working on a new prisoner swap. Trump wrote on his Truth Social site Monday that he completed a ‘two hour call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia.’ ‘I believe it went very well. Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a Ceasefire and, more importantly, an END to the War,’ he went on. ‘The conditions for that will be negotiated between the two parties, as it can only be, because they know details of a negotiation that nobody else would be aware of. The tone and spirit of the conversation were excellent.’

Trump said that Russia wants to do 'largescale trade with the United States' after the fighting, which he called a 'bloodbath,' ends. 'There is a tremendous opportunity for Russia to create massive amounts of jobs and wealth. Its potential is unlimited,' he continued. He suggested that Ukraine could also be a 'beneficiary' as it seeks to rebuild its war-ravaged country, a possible reference to the recent minerals deal inked between Washington and Kyiv. 'Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine will begin immediately,' he claimed.

Trump said that Russia wants to do ‘largescale trade with the United States’ after the fighting, which he called a ‘bloodbath,’ ends. ‘There is a tremendous opportunity for Russia to create massive amounts of jobs and wealth. Its potential is unlimited,’ he continued. He suggested that Ukraine could also be a ‘beneficiary’ as it seeks to rebuild its war-ravaged country, a possible reference to the recent minerals deal inked between Washington and Kyiv. ‘Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine will begin immediately,’ he claimed.

On the Russian side, Ushakov told reporters that the two leaders had not discussed a timeline for a ceasefire in Ukraine, but that Trump had stressed his interest in reaching agreements quickly. 'The presidents also spoke in some detail about the future of our relations, and President Trump, I can say, spoke quite emotionally about the prospects for these relations,' Ushakov said. 'He specifically emphasized that the prospects for bilateral relations after the Ukrainian conflict is resolved look impressive, and that as the president of the United States, he sees Russia as one of America's most important partners in trade and economic matters.'

On the Russian side, Ushakov told reporters that the two leaders had not discussed a timeline for a ceasefire in Ukraine, but that Trump had stressed his interest in reaching agreements quickly. ‘The presidents also spoke in some detail about the future of our relations, and President Trump, I can say, spoke quite emotionally about the prospects for these relations,’ Ushakov said. ‘He specifically emphasized that the prospects for bilateral relations after the Ukrainian conflict is resolved look impressive, and that as the president of the United States, he sees Russia as one of America’s most important partners in trade and economic matters.’

Ushakov said the two countries were working out details of an exchange of prisoners jailed in Russia and the United States involving nine people on each side, although he did not say when it might take place. Trump and Putin are both in favour of meeting in person and will assign their teams to work on preparing a meeting, Ushakov said, but no venue has been agreed. Asked if the lifting of U.S. sanctions had been discussed, Ushakov said: 'You know, Trump mentioned that the Senate, in principle, has a bill ready regarding new sanctions. But he himself is not a supporter of sanctions, but rather of reaching some agreements.'

Ushakov said the two countries were working out details of an exchange of prisoners jailed in Russia and the United States involving nine people on each side, although he did not say when it might take place. Trump and Putin are both in favour of meeting in person and will assign their teams to work on preparing a meeting, Ushakov said, but no venue has been agreed. Asked if the lifting of U.S. sanctions had been discussed, Ushakov said: ‘You know, Trump mentioned that the Senate, in principle, has a bill ready regarding new sanctions. But he himself is not a supporter of sanctions, but rather of reaching some agreements.’

Putin in his own remarks called the phone call 'very meaningful' and 'very, very informative and helpful.' The call was the first time Trump and Putin are believed to have spoken since February. 'The conversation is important given the talks that took place in Istanbul,' said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the Tass news agency reported. 'It is preferable to achieve our goals through political and diplomatic means, of course,' Peskov said.

Putin in his own remarks called the phone call ‘very meaningful’ and ‘very, very informative and helpful.’ The call was the first time Trump and Putin are believed to have spoken since February. ‘The conversation is important given the talks that took place in Istanbul,’ said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the Tass news agency reported. ‘It is preferable to achieve our goals through political and diplomatic means, of course,’ Peskov said.

Trump said during the campaign that he would easily end the conflict 'quickly' and that it would take him 'no longer than one day.' White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dodged when asked Monday morning for specifics in advance of Trump's call and whether Trump would push Putin to accept a ceasefire.

Trump said during the campaign that he would easily end the conflict ‘quickly’ and that it would take him ‘no longer than one day.’ White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dodged when asked Monday morning for specifics in advance of Trump’s call and whether Trump would push Putin to accept a ceasefire.

'The president has made it clear his goal is to see a ceasefire and to see this conflict come to an end. And he's grown weary and frustrated with both sides of the conflict,' Leavitt said. 'The President and his team have put an enormous amount of effort in solving this very complicated war,' she added. Leavitt wouldn't answer when asked if Trump thinks Putin is the 'good guy' or the 'bad guy' in the conflict. 'I'll let the president speak on that conversation later,' she said.

‘The president has made it clear his goal is to see a ceasefire and to see this conflict come to an end. And he’s grown weary and frustrated with both sides of the conflict,’ Leavitt said. ‘The President and his team have put an enormous amount of effort in solving this very complicated war,’ she added. Leavitt wouldn’t answer when asked if Trump thinks Putin is the ‘good guy’ or the ‘bad guy’ in the conflict. ‘I’ll let the president speak on that conversation later,’ she said.

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Trump and Putin discuss Ukraine ceasefire during phone call



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