Von der Leyen, writing on X, thanked Trump for his “tireless efforts to bring a ceasefire to Ukraine” and said that continued US engagement was “essential.”
She joined French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the call.
Trump told the leaders that Putin had accepted talks aimed at halting fighting that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 but said “conditions will be negotiated by the two sides.”
Earlier, he posted on Truth Social that his discussion with Putin had gone “very well” and that Russia wanted “large-scale trade” with the United States once the war ends.
Vatican offer
Italy’s government later said it welcomed Pope Leo XIV’s offer to host negotiations in the Vatican and stood “ready to facilitate contacts leading to a fair and lasting peace.”
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin confirmed the Holy See could provide a venue.
Diplomatic flurry
Friday’s face-to-face meeting in Istanbul between Russian and Ukrainian delegations — the first in three years — produced only an agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war each.
Kyiv insists any ceasefire must include Russia’s withdrawal from occupied territories; Moscow wants Ukraine to commit to neutrality and recognize its annexation claims.
Zelensky, who took part in Monday’s call, thanked Trump for briefing allies and reiterated that Ukraine seeks a “just and lasting peace.”
The Kremlin did not immediately comment on Trump’s account of the Putin call.
(jh/gs)
Source: PAP, Reuters