Western Leaders Push for Ukraine Ceasefire Ahead of Trump-Putin Call
Western leaders press for an unconditional ceasefire as Trump prepares for high-stakes talks with Putin.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine with leaders from the United States, Italy, France, and Germany, according to a 10 Downing Street spokesperson. The discussions come ahead of US President Donald Trump's planned Monday call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which aims to de-escalate the conflict.
Intense Diplomacy in the Lead-Up to Peace Talks
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed he had spoken with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the upcoming Trump-Putin call while both attended the papal inauguration at the Vatican. Merz said he also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, emphasizing the need for a coordinated Western response.
The recent direct negotiations in Istanbul, the first since March 2022, yielded a significant agreement to swap 1,000 prisoners of war, though broader peace remains elusive. Ukrainian officials say Russian negotiators demanded Kyiv withdraw its forces from all Moscow-claimed territories as a condition for a ceasefire – a demand Kyiv considers a non-starter.
Renewed Efforts for Ceasefire
The current diplomatic push follows weeks of intensified fighting, with Moscow seeking to consolidate gains in eastern Ukraine. Trump, who has repeatedly called for an end to what he describes as a "bloodbath," is set to speak with both Putin and Zelenskyy in an effort to broker a breakthrough.