On Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump declared his intention to reach out to both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday, as part of his efforts to negotiate an end to the ongoing and devastating conflict between their nations. The war, described by Trump as “very violent,” has led to significant casualties, with estimates suggesting that over 5,000 soldiers from both sides are losing their lives each week.

In a post shared on Truth Social, Trump emphasized that the discussions will not only aim to halt the “bloodbath” but will also touch on crucial trade matters between the nations involved. He wrote, “THE SUBJECTS OF THE CALL WILL BE, STOPPING THE ‘BLOODBATH’ THAT IS KILLING, ON AVERAGE, MORE THAN 5000 RUSSIAN AND UKRAINIAN SOLDIERS A WEEK, AND TRADE.” This statement underscores the grave humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region, highlighting the urgent need for diplomatic engagements.

Trump is scheduled to speak with Putin first at 10 AM on Monday, followed by a conversation with Zelenskyy. In his post, he expressed hope for a fruitful dialogue that would lead to a ceasefire, stating, “Hopefully it will be a productive day, a ceasefire will take place, and this very violent war, a war that should have never happened, will end. God bless us all!!!” This optimistic tone reflects Trump's long-standing belief in the potential for direct leader-to-leader discussions to resolve complex geopolitical issues.

The timing of Trump’s announcement is significant, as it follows the collapse of the first direct peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in three years. These talks, held in Istanbul, ended without a ceasefire agreement, prompting Trump to voice skepticism about their potential for success. He remarked that “nothing could happen” until he personally meets with Putin, indicating his belief that personal diplomacy is essential in such high-stakes situations.

In response to the stalled negotiations, Zelenskyy has been vocal about his concerns regarding Russia’s commitment to genuine peace talks. He criticized the Russian delegation that attended the recent negotiations, describing them as “a weak and unprepared” team, which implies that Moscow is not fully committed to pursuing a meaningful resolution to the conflict. His frustration was further fueled by a tragic incident that occurred shortly before his statement: a Russian drone strike targeted a passenger van in northeastern Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of nine civilians.

Following this heartbreaking event, Zelenskyy took to social media, urging the international community to impose stronger sanctions on Russia. He stated, “Pressure must be exerted on Russia to stop the killings. Without tougher sanctions, without stronger pressure, Russia will not seek real diplomacy.” His call for action reflects the urgent need for a united global stance against the ongoing violence and a push for diplomatic efforts to resume.

Furthermore, Zelenskyy expressed hope for “strong sanctions against Russia from the United States, from Europe, and from all our partners,” stressing that effective diplomacy must be supported by concrete actions to ensure meaningful progress. Trump, echoing this sentiment, has been advocating for a swift resolution to the conflict that ignited following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. He reiterated his belief that productive outcomes are unlikely without direct discussions with Putin, stating, “I don’t believe anything’s going to happen, whether you like it or not, until he and I get together.”