Trump to Call Putin: “Time to End the Ukraine Bloodbath”

Peace push or political theater? President Donald Trump says he will speak directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday in a bold attempt to bring an end to the war in Ukraine. Trump made the announcement in a Truth Social post, calling the war a “bloodbath” and stating his goal is to achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible.

The scheduled call is set for 10:00 AM EDT (14:00 GMT), after which Trump says he’ll also speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and leaders of several NATO countries.

Kremlin Confirms the Call

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed preparations are underway. “The conversation is in the works,” Peskov told Russian state media outlet TASS. The two leaders have previously spoken about the war, but this would mark the most significant conversation since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.

While Moscow has shown hesitance in the past, this time Russian officials say they’re “open to dialogue” — though without clear expectations.

🤝 Peace Talks in Istanbul Show Tension and Tragedy

Trump’s call announcement follows the first direct Ukraine-Russia peace talks in over three years, held in Istanbul on Friday. Although there was no major breakthrough, the two sides did agree to a limited prisoner swap, raising cautious hopes of future progress.

Trump had even offered to attend the talks personally — if Putin would also be there. The Russian president declined.

Ukraine’s negotiating team left disappointed, with officials saying Russia had introduced “new and unacceptable demands,” including calls for Ukraine to withdraw troops from its own territory as a condition for ceasefire — a non-starter for Kyiv.

Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation and aide to Putin, said Moscow was “satisfied” with the discussions and ready for more.

💥 A Drone Strike Undermines Diplomacy

Only hours after the Istanbul meeting, tragedy struck again.

A Russian drone hit a passenger bus in Ukraine’s Sumy region, killing at least nine civilians. Ukrainian President Zelensky condemned the attack as a “deliberate killing of civilians” and called for harsher sanctions on Moscow.

Russian state media, however, claimed the strike hit a “military staging area.”

🧩 Trump’s Role: Power Broker or Provocateur?

Trump has hinted for months that he could end the war quickly if given the chance. His allies claim he is the only figure with enough influence to pressure both sides toward peace. Senator Marco Rubio, now serving as Secretary of State, has echoed that belief:

But critics argue Trump’s involvement may complicate Western unity or even hand political leverage to Moscow. Others warn that Putin may use the conversation for optics — rather than real concessions.

⏳ NATO Leaders Watching Closely

European leaders have called for a 30-day ceasefire, hoping to pause hostilities and allow diplomatic space. But they’re watching Trump’s outreach with caution.

Behind closed doors, some NATO diplomats have expressed concern that Trump might push for a deal that favors Russia or bypass traditional diplomatic channels. Others, however, are hopeful that even a temporary pause in fighting would be a win for civilians on the ground.

🌍 What’s Next?

The Monday call between Trump and Putin could be pivotal. At stake:

• A potential ceasefire, however temporary

• Opening the door for direct U.S.-Russia negotiations

• Possible new peace summit — or political grandstanding

Ukraine, meanwhile, has made it clear that it wants a full withdrawal of Russian troops and restoration of its territorial integrity. Russia has shown no sign of agreeing to those terms.

In the meantime, the war grinds on — with cities still under siege, civilians still dying, and both sides still far apart.

⚖️ Final Word

Is Trump trying to broker peace — or craft a legacy? Either way, his call with Putin on Monday could bring the conflict into a new phase. Whether that phase is meaningful or merely symbolic will depend on what’s actually said — and done — in the hours that follow.