Trump: Putin call went 'very well', negotiations to start 'immediately'

Over three years later, Trump’s desire to “end the killing” will mean the redrawing of Russia-Ukraine borders, saving lives, and the end of billions of dollars in aid and equipment to hte region

By Amanda Head

Published: May 19, 2025 1:58pm

Following his call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Donald Trump expressed optimism about the call and posted to Truth Social that Russia and Ukraine will immediately begin negotiations to achieve a ceasefire.

He noted that "the conditions for that will be negotiated between the two parties, as it can only be, because they know details of a negotiation that nobody else would be aware of."

"The tone and the spirit of the conversation were excellent. If it wasn't, I would say so now, rather than later. Russia wants to do large scale TRADE with the United States when this catastrophic "bloodbath" is over, and I agree," he added.

Similar to what transpired from his visits to Gulf nations Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates last week, Trump emphasized that "there is tremendous opportunity for Russia to create massive amounts of jobs and wealth. Its potential is unlimited. Likewise, Ukraine can be a great beneficiary on trade, in the process of rebuilding its country."

Ensuring a timeline for the peace process, he said, "negotiations between Russia, and Ukraine will begin immediately." Immediately after the call, Trump said he spoke to the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of the European Commission, Ursula Von dear Leyen, French president, Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister, Georgia, Maloney of Italy, German Chancellor Friedrich Metz and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, briefing them all on the conversation.

On May 17, Trump expressed his desire for a "productive day" of negotiations toward a ceasefire between the two nations and that the call was set for the morning May 19. In his post, Trump said that, "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." With that call's conclusion, the president said that he will then speak to Ukraine's president, Vlodymir Zelensky and various members of NATO.