"When someone talked to you on a phone call that lasted for two hours, you would know that something went wrong."
On May 19, U.S. President Donald Trump held separate phone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, urging both sides to end the conflict. Following his call with Trump, Putin stated that a ceasefire could be possible if appropriate agreements are reached. He added that efforts to end the Ukraine war are moving in the right direction, and Moscow is prepared to cooperate with Ukraine on a memorandum for a future peace agreement. This memorandum would clarify positions on issues such as reconciliation principles and the possible timing of a peace agreement.
This marked Trump's third phone call with Putin since taking office in January. Putin also thanked Trump for supporting the resumption of direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. "It was very substantive and very frank, and on the whole, in my opinion, in this regard, very useful," Putin said, noting the call lasted over two hours.
Before the Trump-Putin call, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance stated that the U.S. recognizes the deadlock in Russia-Ukraine negotiations that if Russia is not "willing to engage," then "eventually, the U.S. has to say this is not our war," adding that Trump would likely ask Putin whether he genuinely wants a ceasefire. The White House also indicated Trump has grown "weary and frustrated" with both sides, and the U.S. media cited government officials suggesting Trump may agree to advance sanctions legislation against Russia if Moscow refuses to make concessions.
Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said on May 19 that political and diplomatic solutions are preferable for achieving Russia's objectives in Ukraine. Regarding a potential Putin-Trump summit, Peskov noted that dates would be determined after careful study by both sides.
Peskov had previously stated that a Putin-Zelensky meeting could occur if negotiations between their delegations make progress.
Putin lists four objectives for Russia's move on Ukraine
In interview excerpts released by Russian media on May 18, Putin claimed four objectives for Russia's special military operation, which include "eliminating the root causes of the Ukraine crisis;" "laying foundations for long-term peace;" "defending Russia's national security;" and "protecting the rights of those who consider Russia their homeland and Russian their native language."
U.S. media cited Russian sources saying Putin is confident of breaking through Ukrainian defenses by year-end to fully control Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Odesa - suggesting he's unlikely to make meaningful concessions in talks with Trump.
Russian and Ukrainian delegations resumed direct negotiations in Istanbul on May 16, agreeing in principle to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war and continue contacts, though no breakthrough was achieved. At the talks' outset, Russian delegation head Vladimir Medinsky told Ukraine that Russia would only discuss ceasefire and other issues after Ukrainian forces withdraw from the four eastern regions, threatening otherwise to advance on Kharkiv and Sumy. Ukraine strongly objected, demanding an immediate ceasefire before negotiations. Russia also demanded that Ukraine drop sovereignty claims over Crimea and the four eastern regions - conditions Ukraine rejected.
Missiles add pressure
Meanwhile, Britain, France, Germany, and Italy's leaders spoke with Trump on May 18 about the need for an unconditional ceasefire, again threatening sanctions if Russia doesn't "take negotiations seriously." French President Emmanuel Macron said Putin must accept a 30-day unconditional ceasefire to demonstrate his desire for peace. Zelensky met with Vance and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Italy on May 18 to discuss trade, defense cooperation, and battlefield developments, urging continued Western pressure on Russia.
Ukraine's military reported that prior to the Trump-Putin call, Russia launched its largest drone attack since the war began, firing 273 drones at Kyiv, Donetsk, and elsewhere, killing at least one person. Russia's Defense Ministry claimed on May 19 that its air defenses shot down 5 U.S.-made bombs and 127 Ukrainian drones in the past 24 hours.
Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Agency warned Russia plans to conduct a "training and combat" involving test launches of RS-24 intercontinental ballistic missiles (with ranges exceeding 10,000 km) from Sverdlovsk Oblast on the evening of the 19th, calling it "deterrent pressure and intimidation" against Ukraine, the EU, and NATO.
(Source: Ta Kung Pao; English Editor: Darius)
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