Trump Plans Call with Putin on Monday: Aiming to End the Ukraine Conflict

Donald Trump announced plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the ongoing war in Ukraine. He aims for a call on Monday at 10:00 EDT to discuss "stopping the bloodbath." Following this, Trump will connect with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and leaders from NATO.

Recent talks held in Istanbul saw Russia and Ukraine try to make progress for the first time in three years, but they only managed to coordinate a prisoner swap. Trump had offered to join the discussions in Turkey, but Putin declined.

Trump believes direct talks are key to finding a resolution. He expressed hope that these conversations could lead to a ceasefire and end the violence that, in his words, "should have never happened."

NATO leaders are pushing for a 30-day ceasefire. Ukraine has called for a full and unconditional stop to hostilities. After the Istanbul meeting, Russia appeared open to further dialogue, according to Putin’s aide, Vladimir Medinsky.

However, tensions escalated shortly after. A Russian drone strike reportedly hit a passenger bus in Ukraine’s Sumy region, killing nine people. Zelensky condemned the strike as a deliberate attack on civilians, urging for stronger sanctions against Russia. Russian state media, on the other hand, claimed the strike targeted a military area.

Looking back, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The ongoing conflict has led to significant human rights violations, with millions displaced or seeking asylum. According to a recent UN report, over 7 million people have fled Ukraine since the invasion began.

As discussions continue, public sentiment varies. Many online express skepticism about the likelihood of peace talks succeeding, while others remain hopeful for a resolution. The situation is fluid, and the world’s eyes are keenly focused on the next steps.

For more information on the conflict and ongoing updates, you can refer to the BBC.

Source link