President Donald Trump is diving headfirst into the Russia-Ukraine mess, scheduling a high-stakes phone call with Vladimir Putin to halt the carnage. On Monday, May 19, 2025, at 10:00 A.M., the two leaders will tackle the war’s relentless toll—over 5,000 soldiers killed weekly—and explore trade possibilities. This bold move signals Trump’s intent to shake up a conflict that’s been bleeding both nations dry since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
According to the Washington Examiner, Trump announced these talks in a Truth Social post on Saturday, May 17, 2025, also revealing plans to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO members the same day. The war, now in its third year, shows no signs of slowing, with a Russian drone strike killing nine in Ukraine’s Sumy region on Saturday. Trump’s flurry of calls aims to spark a ceasefire where public peace talks have fizzled.
Neither Trump nor Putin bothered with peace talks in Turkey earlier this week, suggesting they prefer direct negotiations over diplomatic pageantry. Trump’s recent frustration with Putin, aired on Fox News’s Special Report, hasn’t dimmed his optimism that the Russian leader wants an off-ramp. “I think Putin is tired of this whole thing,” Trump said, hinting at a Kremlin weary of its quagmire.
Trump’s newfound criticism of Russia marks a pivot from months of hammering Ukraine. His comments on Fox News jabbed at Putin’s miscalculations, noting the invasion was “supposed to end in one week.” Yet, he’s betting on Putin’s ego—“he wants to look good”—to nudge him toward a deal.
The last time Trump and Zelensky spoke was April 2025, at Pope Francis’s funeral in Vatican City. That meeting, steeped in solemnity, offered no breakthroughs, but Monday’s call could change the game. Trump’s knack for deal-making might just find traction where others have stalled.
Public chatter about peace has surged since Trump returned to office, but tangible progress remains elusive. The war’s brutality—evidenced by Saturday’s deadly drone strike—underscores the urgency of these talks. Meanwhile, NATO’s involvement hints at broader stakes, as allies watch Trump’s gambit closely.
Trump’s Truth Social post didn’t mince words, calling the war a “bloodbath” that’s claiming thousands weekly. “I WILL BE SPEAKING, BY TELEPHONE, TO PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN OF RUSSIA ON MONDAY, AT 10:00 A.M.,” he wrote, framing the call as a step toward stopping the slaughter. His urgency resonates with those fed up with endless conflict.
The president’s second post outlined his Monday marathon: after Putin, he’ll ring Zelensky and NATO leaders. “HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE A PRODUCTIVE DAY, A CEASEFIRE WILL TAKE PLACE,” Trump declared, invoking divine blessing for peace. His optimism, while bold, faces a war that’s defied easy fixes.
Trump’s critique of the war’s origins—“A WAR THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED”—lays blame squarely on Putin’s misadventure. Yet, he’s not above pointing out Russia’s tactical blunders, like tanks stuck in mud that derailed a swift Kyiv takeover. Actions, as they say, have consequences.
The Russia-Ukraine war, sparked by Moscow’s 2022 invasion, has left a trail of devastation and no clear endgame. Trump’s recent barbs at Putin suggest he’s not buying Russia’s strongman act anymore. Still, his belief in Putin’s desire to save face could be the key to unlocking a deal.
Zelensky, no stranger to Trump’s deal-making style, faces a delicate dance in these talks. Ukraine’s resilience against Russian aggression has won global admiration, but the cost—evident in Sumy’s fresh graves—demands a resolution. Trump’s call could test Zelensky’s willingness to compromise.
NATO’s role in Monday’s discussions adds a layer of complexity. Trump’s history of skepticism toward the alliance makes his outreach notable, suggesting he sees their buy-in as critical. A ceasefire, if achieved, would ripple across global security.
Trump’s pivot to diplomacy comes as peace talks elsewhere have flopped. The Turkey talks, skipped by both Trump and Putin, exposed the limits of multilateral efforts. Direct leader-to-leader calls might just cut through the noise—or add to it. The war’s human toll—over 5,000 soldiers dead each week—looms over these discussions. Trump’s vivid “bloodbath” descriptor isn’t hyperbole; it’s a grim reality check for leaders who’ve let this drag on. His push for a ceasefire carries the weight of those losses.
Monday’s calls could mark a turning point, or they might join the pile of failed attempts to end this war. Trump’s optimism, tempered by his recent jabs at Putin, suggests he’s ready to play hardball. Here’s hoping his deal-making chops deliver where others have faltered.
