Trump Pushes for Peace as Russia Escalates Attacks
On Monday, President Donald Trump held a series of high-profile phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and several European leaders in a renewed bid to broker an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Despite more than two hours of discussion with Putin and follow-up conversations with Zelenskyy and NATO allies, Trump’s efforts did not yield an immediate ceasefire, as Russian forces continued their largest drone assault of the war over the weekend, resulting in at least 11 civilian deaths in Ukraine[NPR].
Ceasefire Talks Announced, But No Breakthrough
Trump announced on his social media platform that Russia and Ukraine would “immediately” begin negotiations toward a ceasefire. He described his call with Putin as “very productive” and indicated that the Vatican, represented by the Pope, had expressed interest in hosting the talks. However, neither side confirmed a concrete timeline or terms for these negotiations. Putin stopped short of agreeing to an unconditional ceasefire, stating only that a truce was possible “if the right agreements are reached”.
"Russia will propose and is ready to work with the Ukrainian side on a memorandum on a possible future peace agreement... including a possible ceasefire for a certain period of time if appropriate agreements arereached, Putin said, according to Russian state media.
Putin’s Position
Putin characterized the diplomatic efforts as “on the right track” but reiterated that Russia’s primary goal remains to “eliminate the underlying causes of this crisis.” He emphasized Moscow’s readiness to collaborate on a memorandum outlining the principles and timeline for a potential peace treaty. Still, he clarified that any ceasefire would depend on substantive agreements with Ukraine.
Putin also expressed gratitude to Trump for reviving direct dialogue, but analysts in Moscow told NPR that the Kremlin believes time and military advantage are on Russia’s side. “At this juncture, Russia can sustain its military actions. Although sanctions are causing damage, this impact is not critical to Russia’s macroeconomics,” said Timofei Timofeev of the International Affairs Council, adding that Russia’s gradual advances could weaken Ukraine’s negotiating position in the future.
Zelenskyy’s Stance
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his conversations with Trump and European leaders, reiterated Kyiv’s readiness for “a full and unconditional ceasefire.” He insisted that if Russia refuses to halt its attacks, the West must impose stronger sanctions. “Pressure must be applied against Russia until they are compelled to cease hostilities,” Zelenskyy said on social media[NPR].
Zelenskyy also stated that Ukraine is prepared to negotiate in Turkey, Switzerland, or the Vatican, but stressed that “what is required is a reciprocal willingness from Russia to engage in meaningful discussions”.
European Leaders Press for Immediate Action
European leaders, including France’s Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Friedrich Merz, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, and Finland’s Alexander Stubb, joined calls with Trump, urging him to pressure Putin for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire. They cautioned against any deal that would legitimize Russian territorial gains or weaken Ukraine’s sovereignty.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office stated, “The leaders discussed the necessity for an unconditional ceasefire and for President Putin to engage earnestly in peace talks.” European officials also warned that failure to secure a genuine ceasefire could trigger new rounds of sanctions and tariffs targeting the Russian economy.
Escalation on the Battlefield
The diplomatic flurry comes amid a marked escalation in hostilities. Over the weekend, Russian forces launched 273 drones at Ukraine, the most significant such attack since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, killing at least one person and injuring several others in Kyiv and other regions. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 88 drones, but many others reached their targets, causing widespread damage.
According to the Institute for the Study of War, Russia has intensified its nightly strikes over the past five months, conducting several of the largest attacks of the conflict since January 2025. Ukrainian officials report that civilian casualties have surged, with a 23% increase recorded between March and April 2025
Prisoner Swap but No Ceasefire
Friday’s direct talks in Istanbul, the first meeting in over three years, resulted in an agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war from each side- the largest swap of the conflict so far. However, negotiators failed to reach any consensus on a ceasefire. Ukrainian officials described the Russian delegation as lacking authority, with President Putin himself declining to attend and instead sending aides.
Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy's chief of staff, called Russia’s approach “a sham,” accusing Moscow of not sincerely attempting to end the war. Russian officials, meanwhile, insisted that Ukraine must accept significant concessions, including abandoning NATO ambitions and recognizing Russian control over occupied territories—terms Kyiv rejects as tantamount to surrender.
The Strategic Context: Stalemate and Attrition
The war, now in its fourth year, has settled into a grinding conflict of attrition. Russian forces currently control nearly one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, and both sides have suffered heavy casualties. According to the UN, civilian casualties in Ukraine rose sharply in early 2025, and millions remain displaced.
Despite mounting international pressure, Moscow and Kyiv remain far apart on the terms for peace. Russia continues to demand Ukrainian neutrality and territorial concessions, while Ukraine insists on the restoration of its borders and security guarantees from Western powers.
U.S. Role and Political Calculations
President Trump has made resolving the Ukraine conflict a central pillar of his foreign policy agenda, repeatedly claiming he could end the war swiftly through personal diplomacy. However, critics, including former U.S. officials, have questioned whether Trump’s perceived affinity for Putin could disadvantage Ukraine in any eventual settlement.
Bridget Brink, the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, stated that Trump’s approach “has prioritized pressure on Ukraine, the victim, rather than on Russia, the aggressor.” She cited a February Oval Office meeting in which Trump’s team openly criticized Zelenskyy for not showing sufficient deference to the U.S.
“Honestly, President Putin doesn’t seem to know how to exit the war,” Vice President Vance told reporters in Rome, reflecting growing frustration within the administration[NPR].
Prospects for Peace Remain Uncertain
While Monday’s calls mark a renewed push for diplomacy, analysts caution that the prospects for a near-term ceasefire remain slim. Both sides appear entrenched, with Russia leveraging its battlefield momentum and Ukraine banking on continued Western support and pressure on Moscow[NPR].
While significant, the Istanbul prisoner swap is viewed as a humanitarian gesture rather than a breakthrough in the peace process. “These swaps were always on the edge, always hanging by a thread,” said Andriy Yermak, underscoring the fragility of such agreements.
Key Data and Statistics
Russian forces launched 273 drones at Ukraine on May 17–18, 2025, the largest such attack since the war began. Ukrainian defenses intercepted 88 drones.
Civilian casualties in Ukraine increased by 23% between March and April 2025, according to the UN1.
Russia currently controls nearly 20% of Ukrainian territory.
The latest prisoner swap agreement will see 1,000 prisoners exchanged on each side, the most significant part of the conflict.
Next Steps and Ongoing Risks
As diplomatic efforts continue, the risk of further escalation remains high. European leaders are preparing new rounds of sanctions should Russia fail to engage in meaningful ceasefire talks. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials warn that delays in negotiations could further erode their negotiating position as Russian forces make incremental gains on the battlefield.
The Vatican has offered to host future peace talks, but the timing and format remain uncertain. Both sides have agreed to continue discussions, but significant obstacles persist, including deep mistrust and divergent goals.
“This story is ongoing and will be updated as new information becomes available,” NPR reported, reflecting the fluid and unpredictable nature of the current diplomatic landscape.