Trump vows to talk to Putin to stop Ukraine 'bloodbath'

US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he plans to speak by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday to try to end the ongoing "bloodbath" in Ukraine. This comes a day after the first direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in over three years, which resulted in an agreement to exchange prisoners.

Trump has been advocating for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire and said he would also speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO officials afterward, expressing hope for a ceasefire and an end to the violence. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov confirmed that preparations for the call are underway.

Earlier, the Kremlin stated that a meeting between Putin and Zelensky could only happen after both sides reach an agreement. Russia's top negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said that Moscow and Kyiv would soon present their views on a possible future ceasefire, but no date has been set.

The prisoner exchange deal, agreed upon in Istanbul on Friday—the first talks since the full-scale invasion in February 2022—calls for the release of 1,000 prisoners from each side. Ukraine’s Defence Minister Rustem Umerov described a meeting between the two presidents as the “next step,” with Russia acknowledging the request but emphasizing it depends on progress in negotiations.

Meanwhile, violence continues. A Russian drone attack struck a minibus evacuating civilians in Ukraine’s eastern Sumy region early Saturday, killing nine and wounding five. Ukrainian President Zelensky condemned the attack and Russia’s refusal to agree to a ceasefire, renewing his call for stronger sanctions against Moscow. He stressed that without increased pressure, no real diplomacy will happen.

On the frontlines, Russian forces claimed capture of Oleksandropil village in eastern Donetsk amid ongoing heavy fighting. Russia also launched missile and drone strikes across eastern Ukraine, causing further casualties. In Kherson, Russian shelling hit a humanitarian aid truck.

Zelensky criticized Putin for not attending the Istanbul talks, accusing him of being “afraid” and calling the Russian delegation “weak and unprepared.” He demanded concrete steps to end the war and warned of stronger global reactions, including new sanctions, if progress fails.

French President Emmanuel Macron said European countries are coordinating with Washington on additional sanctions should Moscow refuse an unconditional ceasefire. The Ukrainian side called Russia’s territorial demands “unacceptable,” as Moscow claims annexation of five Ukrainian regions, including Crimea.