Amid renewed hopes for peace in Eastern Europe, a flurry of high-level diplomacy has begun to reshape the conversation around the war in Ukraine. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, back in the Oval Office, is making his most high-profile foreign policy push yet—staking his legacy on resolving a conflict that has outlasted multiple diplomatic overtures since Russia’s 2022 invasion.
Trump’s latest initiative saw him speaking with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, followed by a coordinated conference call with European leaders including France’s Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Friedrich Merz, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, Finland’s Alexander Stubb, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Following those calls, Trump declared that Russia and Ukraine would begin negotiations for a ceasefire “immediately,” adding on Truth Social that the tone of talks was “excellent” and progress toward an end to the war was finally within reach.
Europe and the U.S.: Back in Sync
In a statement from Berlin, the German government confirmed that the U.S. had committed to “tightly coordinate” its efforts with European allies. European leaders reportedly expressed strong support for Ukraine’s peace process and emphasized their readiness to “closely accompany Ukraine on the path to a ceasefire.”
Italy welcomed what it called a “constructive shift” in U.S. engagement, particularly noting the involvement of newly elected Pope Leo XIV—an American pontiff—who offered the Vatican as a neutral host for peace talks. Rome’s statement highlighted the Holy See’s willingness to mediate and Italy’s own readiness to facilitate dialogue.
“The Vatican represents a moral authority and a neutral ground,” Meloni’s office said, “and the Holy Father’s involvement adds significant weight to the diplomatic process.”
Trump after a call with Putin:
– Ceasefire talks dropped
– No new sanctions
– NATO alliance splitNYT says he’s prioritizing Russian business ties over Ukraine’s sovereignty and Western unity.
— Tymofiy Mylovanov (@Mylovanov) May 21, 2025
Putin’s Peace Memorandum—And Skepticism from Kyiv
While Trump described Russia as “committed to peace,” President Putin took the opportunity to unveil a proposal for a “memorandum” with Ukraine—outlining principles and timelines for a possible accord. He thanked Trump for supporting direct dialogue and said Russia was “ready to work” with Kyiv.
Still, the path to peace remains unclear. Zelensky, in a press conference in Kyiv, said he had no knowledge of any such memorandum and was awaiting concrete proposals from Moscow.
“Once we receive their ideas in writing,” Zelensky said, “we’ll assess them and respond accordingly.”
Behind the Scenes: Rising Frustration, Stalled Talks
According to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, Trump has grown “frustrated” with both Kyiv and Moscow. “He’s made it clear: he wants an end to this war—soon. And he’s not afraid to pressure both sides to get there.”
Yet peace remains elusive. Recent attempts to kickstart negotiations in Turkey collapsed after just two hours. Though the meetings produced an agreement to swap 1,000 prisoners from each side, no ceasefire was achieved.
Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov confirmed on national television that the exchanges could begin “within days,” but added that meaningful diplomatic progress remains dependent on Russian willingness to negotiate in good faith.
Trump later remarked that Putin skipped the Turkish summit because “I wasn’t there,” suggesting his personal presence could break the deadlock. “He and I will meet,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. “Maybe we solve it, maybe we don’t. But at least we’ll know.”
Wall Street Journal: “On a call Monday, President Trump told European leaders that Russian President Vladimir Putin isn’t ready to end the Ukraine war because he thinks he is winning. The acknowledgment was what European leaders had long believed about Putin—but it was the first…
— John Fund (@johnfund) May 22, 2025
Zelensky’s Diplomacy Blitz
In the lead-up to Monday’s calls, Zelensky met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Rome after attending Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass. He also held bilateral discussions with several European heads of state, reinforcing his message: Ukraine is serious about peace, but unwilling to settle for Russian terms.
In a post on X, Zelensky said he emphasized the need for “real diplomacy, not staged photo ops,” and warned against rewarding bad faith. “The Russian delegation in Turkey lacked authority to negotiate anything meaningful,” he said. “Sanctions, pressure, and diplomacy must work together.”
The Ukrainian leader added that he also discussed defense cooperation, battlefield dynamics, and upcoming prisoner exchanges. “We are doing our part. Now it’s up to the world to keep pressure on Russia until peace becomes their only option,” he concluded.