Inside Trump’s ‘candid’ 2hr Putin call from first-name terms to family chat as details emerge from Ukraine peace talks
DONALD Trump and Vladimir Putin held a "candid" two-hour phone call on Monday afternoon in a desperate bid to end the three year-long war in Ukraine.
The US President said the negotiations are set to begin "immediately" as Vladimir Putin has finally admitted he must make a deal.
The US President claimed that Putin - who he is on first-name basis with - "wants to stop" the war, adding that negotiations towards a ceasefire will start immediately.
But he warned that there are some "big egos" involved which could make negotiations difficult.
Putin spoke to Russian state media after coming off the call and admitted that he must make a peace deal with Ukraine.
He described the conversation as "very productive" and "quite candid" that was "highly useful".
The tyrant also said that Russia is "ready to work with the Ukrainian side" on a possible future peace agreement, but both sides must be willing to compromise.
According to Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov, the call began with mad Vlad congratulating Trump "on the birth of his eleventh grandson" after his daughter Tiffany gave birth last Thursday.
The pair soon delved into the bloody war in Ukraine, taking into account the recent direct talks in Istanbul that failed to bear fruit.
The Trump administration's role in bringing both Moscow and Kyiv to the negotiating table was also noted as positive by mad Vlad.
But a deadline or timeframe for a ceasefire in Ukraine wasn't discussed - but "Trump, of course, emphasised his interest in reaching an agreement as soon as possible," Putin puppet Ushakov added.
The pair did however talk of another prisoner exchange between Russia and the US, with "another such exchange of nine for nine people" being "worked out".
Zelensky also spoke out on Monday evening to reassert his "red lines" for a peace deal.
The Ukrainian President insisted that he would not give into Russia's territory demands, saying: "Ukraine won’t withdraw its troops on its own territories."
Ushakov also revealed how Trump apparently said: "Vladimir, you can pick up the phone at any time, and I will be happy to answer, I will be happy to talk to you."
Zelensky spoke with Trump "for a few minutes" before his chat with Putin.
The pair spoke again after the call as Trump debriefed a select group of European leaders including Emmanuel Macron, Giorgia Meloni, Friedrich Merz and Alexander Stubb.
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Italy 'ready to do its part,' says Meloni
Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni said that Italy is "ready to do its part" in working towards a peace deal for Ukraine and welcomed suggestions that the Vatican might be used to host negotiations.
She wrote on X: "The Holy Father's willingness to host the talks at the Vatican was considered positive.
"Italy is ready to do its part to facilitate contacts and work for peace."
Putin will 'benefit' if US gives up on Ukraine peace, says Zelensky
Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Donald Trump not to give up on working for peace in Ukraine.
He wrote on X: "It is crucial for all of us that the United States does not distance itself from the talks and the pursuit of peace, because the only one who benefits from that is Putin."
Marco Rubio was on the Trump-Putin call, officials say
The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly joined the Trump-Putin call from his plane while travelling back from Europe, according to officials.
Ukraine 'ready for direct negotiations with Russia,' says Zelensky
Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine is "ready for direct negotiations with Russia" and appealed to international leaders to put pressure on Putin to finally end the war.
The Ukrainian President urged Russia to bring a "mirrored readiness" to peace talks.
But he added that if the Kremlin is not willing to stop the killing then there must be stronger sanctions.
In pictures: Putin speaks to state media
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Credit: Getty In pictures: Trump speaks at White House
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Credit: AP 'Some progress' has been made, says Trump
Donald Trump said "some progress" has been made after his two-hour phone call with Vladimir Putin.
Speaking outside the White House, he said: “We just spent two and a half hours talking to Vladimir Putin and I think some progress has been made.
He added: “We also spoke to the heads of most other European nations and we’re trying to get that whole thing wrapped up.
"What a shame that it ever happened in the first place.”
Zelensky considers 'high level' meeting with world leaders
Zelensky told reporters that he is considering a "high level" meeting between Ukraine and Russia, along with the US and European countries.
He added that he wants the meeting to happen as soon as possible and that it could be hosted by Turkey, the Vatican or Switzerland.
Ukraineâs President Volodymyr Zelensky gives a press briefing after his phone talks with the US president Zelensky asked Trump not to make decisions about war 'without us'
Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly told Trump not to make any decisions about Ukraine "without us".
Zelensky told reporters: "I asked him not to make any decisions about Ukraine without us before his conversation with Putin.
"These are matters of principle for us and very important."
The Ukrainian President spoke with Trump before his call with the Kremlin.
Zelensky 'urged Trump to toughen Russia sanctions'
Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly urged Donald Trump to toughen sanctions on Russia if it did not agree to a ceasefire before his call with the Kremlin.
Zelensky said: “A ceasefire is needed, as proposed by President Trump himself, and if this does not happen, sanctions will be necessary," according to AFP.
The pair spoke around 15 minutes before the Trump-Putin call.
Trump briefs European leaders on Putin call
Trump called European leaders to debrief them after his call with Putin.
EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen thanked the US President for his "tireless efforts" to bring a ceasefire to Ukraine.
She added: "It's important that the US stays engaged."
Vatican could hold peace talks, suggests Trump
Trump hinted at a possible venue for peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in his post on Truth Social.
He wrote: "The Vatican, as represented by the Pope, has stated that it would be very interested in hosting the negotiations."
This comes after JD Vance met with Pope Leo this morning, where he invited the newly-crowned pontiff to the White House.
Who has Trump spoken to today?
Trump took to Truth Social after his call with Putin.
In the post he also listed who else he has spoken to today:
- Volodymyr Zelensky
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
- French President Emmanuel Macron
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
- Finland's President Alexander Stubb
Russia-Ukraine negotiations will begin 'immediately,' says Trump
Trump posted on Truth Social after the historic call with Putin.
The US President said the call went "very well" and that peace negotiations will begin immediately.
He wrote: "Just completed my 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.
"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. If it wasn’t, I would say so now, rather than later."
Credit: Truth Social / @realDonaldTrump Trump will provide readout shortly, according to US official
Trump and Putin's phone call has concluded after more than two hours, according to a US official and Russian media.
The official said that Trump will provide a readout shortly.
White House yet to provide readout on call
The White House is yet to issue a statement on the Trump-Putin call.
Russia 'ready to work with Kyiv,' says Putin
The Russian leader reportedly said that he is ready to work with Kyiv on a future peace treaty, according to state media TASS.
But he reportedly added that both parties must be willing to compromise in order to come to a deal.
He concluded by saying that he appreciated the "constructive" conversation with the US president.
Russia in favour of a 'peaceful resolution' in Ukraine, says Putin
The Russian leader reportedly said that Trump noted that Russia is in favour of a "peaceful resolution of the crisis in Ukraine", according to state media TASS.
Trump-Putin call lasted more than 2 hours, says Putin
Putin came out to the press after finishing his conversation with Trump.
The Russian tyrant confirmed that he had a conversation with Trump, which lasted more than 2 hours.
Trump-Putin phone call over
How many times have Putin and Trump spoken before?
Today's phone call between Trump and Putin is the third publicly disclosed conversation between the two leaders since the US president's return to office.
The pair previously spoke on February 12 and March 18.
Trump and Putin at a meeting in June 2019Credit: Reuters
Trump spoke to Zelensky by phone before calling Putin
It was previously thought that Trump would speak with Volodymyr Zelensky after his call with Putin.
But a source has claimed that the US President spoke with the Ukrainian leader "for a few minutes" before making the call.
Putin is calling Trump from a music school in Russia, according to state TV
Russian state TV has reported that Putin is holding his telephone call with Trump at a building in the Sirius educational complex in Sochi.
Russian troops train as Putin's conflict rages on
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Credit: AP Where are the two leaders speaking from?
Donald Trump is reportedly speaking to Vladimir Putin from his usual seat in the White House, Washington.
Whereas Putin, who has dozens of Kremlin palaces across Russia, is believed to be sat inside his favourite Black Sea resort of Sochi, according to Reuters.