Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that efforts to end the war in Ukraine are progressing in the right direction, following a two-hour phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump. He added that Russia is willing to work with Ukraine on drafting a memorandum outlining the framework for a possible future peace agreement.
Putin expressed appreciation to Trump for supporting the resumption of direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv. He noted that Trump acknowledged Russia’s willingness to pursue peace, though both leaders agreed the challenge lies in defining the path forward.
“Russia will propose and is ready to work with the Ukrainian side on a memorandum detailing key aspects of a future peace deal, including settlement principles and potential timelines,” Putin told reporters in Sochi.
Putin emphasized that if the right terms are agreed upon, a ceasefire could follow. He described the resumption of direct dialogue with Ukraine as a positive sign that peace efforts are gaining traction.
“Our position is clear—we aim to address the root causes of this crisis,” he said. “Now we must identify the most effective way to move forward.”
President Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform, confirmed the phone conversation and said both sides had agreed to “immediately” begin ceasefire negotiations.
“I just finished a very productive two-hour call with President Vladimir Putin. The tone was excellent, and we have agreed to start immediate talks for a ceasefire—and, more importantly, an end to the war,” Trump wrote.
Trump also revealed that the newly elected American Pope Leo XIV and the Vatican are “very interested” in hosting the peace talks.
Following Trump’s separate call with European leaders on Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron urged Putin to accept a proposed 30-day unconditional ceasefire, which has received support from Ukraine and Europe.
Despite these developments, Putin has remained cautious, insisting that any ceasefire must be based on specific conditions, including an end to Western military support for Ukraine.
European leaders remain skeptical of Putin’s intentions. Some fear Trump’s new approach may pressure Ukraine into accepting a deal that leaves it vulnerable and stripped of significant territory—potentially legitimizing Russia’s occupation of about one-fifth of Ukraine’s land.
Under previous administrations, the U.S. strongly condemned Russia’s invasion as an illegal land grab. However, since Trump’s return to office, Washington has adopted a more conciliatory tone, reflecting some of Moscow’s concerns and justifications for launching the conflict, including Ukraine’s pivot toward the West.
While both Washington and Moscow now speak of a diplomatic path, deep divisions remain, and the prospects for a lasting peace still depend on complex negotiations and concrete compromises from all sides.
