**Ceasefire Talks Between Russia and Ukraine Announced by Trump**

**In a telephone conversation with Vladimir Putin, Trump emphasized the need for a ceasefire, while urging the importance of negotiations involving both parties to ensure lasting peace.**

In a significant development, US President Donald Trump has announced that Russia and Ukraine will "immediately" commence negotiations aimed at achieving a ceasefire and ultimately bringing an end to the ongoing war. This announcement follows a two-hour phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which both leaders discussed the dire need for diplomatic engagement.

Trump characterized his conversation with Putin as "very positive," emphasizing that conditions for peace would be negotiated directly between Moscow and Kyiv. Putin signaled a readiness to collaborate with Ukraine on a memorandum regarding a prospective peace agreement, though he did not commit to the unconditioned 30-day ceasefire that the US and its European allies have called for.

Following this conversation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed the critical nature of the current moment, urging the US not to withdraw from the negotiation process. He reaffirmed Ukraine's demand for a "full and unconditional ceasefire," warning that if Moscow is unyielding, stronger sanctions would be necessary.

Prior to Trump's call with Putin, Zelensky highlighted the importance of involving Ukraine in any discussions concerning its future, viewing it as a matter of principle. He expressed a lack of knowledge about the specific "memorandum" proposed by Russia but stated that once they receive concrete information, they would be able to outline their own vision for peace.

In a follow-up post on his Truth Social platform, Trump reassured Zelensky that discussions towards a ceasefire were underway, emphasizing that the details of any agreement would need to be worked out by the involved parties. He also reiterated the critical role of American and European representatives in the negotiation process to prevent an advantage for Putin.

Later at a White House event, Trump underscored the US's commitment to acting as a mediator in the negotiations, expressing that he has a threshold for continuing his involvement. He characterized Putin's desire to end the conflict as genuine, signaling a potential shift in relations.

Putin, who participated in the call from a music school in Sochi, described the dialogue with Trump as "frank, informative and constructive," affirming that Russia is prepared to work towards establishing a foundation for a peace deal, should the circumstances align favorably.

Zelensky's second conversation with Trump also included European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and leaders from France, Italy, Germany, and Finland, who echoed the importance of America's ongoing engagement in peace efforts. Von der Leyen extended her gratitude to Trump for his persistent advocacy for a ceasefire, while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni highlighted the Vatican's offer to host potential peace talks, which has garnered positive feedback from global leaders.

Despite this diplomatic momentum, skepticism remains about the sincerity of Russia's intentions. Ukrainian officials continue to assert that Putin's rhetoric of a desire for peace contrasts sharply with reality, especially following reports of recent Russian drone attacks that resulted in civilian casualties.

Historically, Russia has declared temporary ceasefires that were short-lived and brought about little substantial change on the battlefield. The war, which commenced with Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has persisted amid shifting dynamics and intermittent discussions for peace.

As negotiations unfold, the world watches closely to see if these latest talks herald a turning point towards ending a conflict that has wrought significant suffering on both sides.