US President Donald Trump plans to call Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy by phone on Monday in an effort to push for a ceasefire in Ukraine. The talks come after failed direct negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv in years.
Trump expressed hope that the conversation will be “productive” and result in a ceasefire, describing the war as a “bloodbath.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed preparations are underway for the call.
The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had a phone call with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov earlier on Saturday. Rubio suggested the Vatican could host Russia-Ukraine peace talks.
Ukrainian officials said a northeastern town declared mourning after a Russian drone struck a bus evacuating civilians, killing nine people. The strike happened hours after the Russian and Ukrainian delegations left Istanbul, where they agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war.
The Kremlin has pushed back against a proposal for a temporary ceasefire as a first step towards peace. Despite US efforts, Ukraine’s position is poised to grow weaker unless powerful sanctions are imposed on Moscow.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said he had discussed the outcome of the talks with Zelenskyy and leaders of France, Germany, Britain, and Poland. The leaders urged “tough sanctions” against Russia if it rejects a full and unconditional ceasefire and an end to killings.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/05/17/g-s1-67402/russian-drone-strike-kills-9