Daijiworld Media Network – Washington

Washington, May 19: US President Donald Trump held a crucial phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday in a bid to broker a 30-day unconditional ceasefire in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which began with Moscow's invasion in 2022.

A senior White House official confirmed to AFP that the call had commenced, even as Trump’s administration admitted the president was ‘weary and frustrated’ with the slow pace of diplomatic progress. The Kremlin described the conversation as ‘important.’

Trump, who had pledged during his campaign to end the Ukraine war within 24 hours of returning to office, is seeking a personal breakthrough, betting on direct dialogue with Putin. He is also scheduled to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO leaders later in the day.

Vice President JD Vance, speaking from Rome, echoed Trump’s mounting impatience. “There’s a bit of an impasse. I think the president’s going to ask Putin are you serious about ending this war?” he said.

Trump, who has often spared Putin from direct criticism, has expressed greater irritation with Kyiv’s stance. A February row in the Oval Office with Zelensky highlighted growing tensions. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump remains frustrated with "both sides" but still hopes to meet Putin face-to-face, calling it essential to end the “bloodbath.”

Trump had expressed willingness to attend peace talks in Istanbul last week, but Putin’s absence dashed hopes of direct negotiation. Despite this, Moscow reiterated its preference for diplomacy, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledging the US efforts to mediate.

Ahead of the call, Zelensky reaffirmed Ukraine’s demand for a full and unconditional ceasefire to pave the way for diplomacy. The Istanbul talks the first in three years ended without a ceasefire, with Ukraine accusing Russia of sending a low-level delegation.

Meanwhile, fighting on the ground continued. Russia claimed to have seized two villages in the eastern Sumy and Donetsk regions, while Ukraine said it intercepted 76 of 112 drones launched by Russia overnight.

Putin, in a recent state TV interview, reiterated Moscow’s goal of addressing what he called the "root causes" of the war including NATO expansion and the protection of Russian-speaking populations.

Western allies of Ukraine, including the UK, France, Germany, and Italy, spoke with Trump on Sunday, urging him to press Putin for a serious commitment to peace.