Trump Plans To End Ukraine War On Monday Morning Phone Call
On Monday, May 19, 2025, Donald Trump’s scheduled phone calls with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy could mark a pivotal moment in the Russia-Ukraine war, which has raged since 2022. Trump has framed these talks as a chance to end the “bloodbath,” emphasizing a ceasefire to halt the estimated 5,000 weekly soldier deaths on both sides. His approach, as reported by Sky News, involves direct dialogue with both leaders and NATO representatives, aiming to leverage his self-proclaimed deal-making skills to broker peace. Trump’s optimism, expressed in all-caps on Truth Social, suggests a ceasefire could be imminent, potentially building on prior agreements like the March 2025 energy truce mentioned in posts on X. However, the Kremlin’s demand for Ukraine to cede five regions and remain neutral—demands Kyiv has rejected—casts doubt on whether Trump’s talks can bridge the vast gap between the two sides.
The potential end to the war hinges on Trump’s ability to navigate the entrenched positions of both leaders, with Russia gaining ground in eastern Ukraine and Ukraine holding firm in Kursk despite immense losses. Trump’s strategy, as outlined in earlier Reuters reports, might involve pressuring Russia with threats of sanctions while offering incentives like sanctions relief, a tactic he’s hinted at since January. For Ukraine, the promise of security guarantees without NATO membership could be a sticking point, as Zelenskyy has insisted on robust protections against future Russian aggression. The recent Istanbul talks, where Russia’s delegation appeared unprepared per Sky News, suggest Moscow may not be ready to compromise, potentially forcing Trump to lean harder on Putin with threats of arming Ukraine further—a move some X users speculate could push Russia to the table by making their position untenable.
Despite Trump’s enthusiasm, the war’s end on Monday remains uncertain, as both sides have shown little willingness to concede on core issues like territory and Ukraine’s sovereignty. Putin’s history of rejecting ceasefire proposals, as noted in Zelenskyy’s X posts calling for a tougher stance on Moscow, indicates Russia might use the talks to stall while continuing its offensive. Trump’s involvement could shift the dynamic, especially if he follows through on sanctions or attends future talks in Turkey, as he’s suggested per NPR. However, the lack of a concrete peace plan from Trump’s team, combined with Ukraine’s refusal to accept Russia’s terms, suggests that while Monday’s talks may open a dialogue, a lasting resolution could still be far off, leaving the war’s toll—700,000 Russian casualties alone, per U.S. estimates—to climb higher.
