Trump Says Russia and Ukraine Will Begin Ceasefire Talks 'Immediately' After 90-Minute Putin Call

Following his April 29-30 90-minute phone call with Vladimir Putin — in which Putin floated a brief Victory Day ceasefire around May 9 — President Trump told reporters on May 1 that Russia and Ukraine would begin ceasefire talks 'immediately.' Trump called the conversation 'very good' and said a deal was 'close,' expressing support for even a brief ceasefire pause and saying Putin 'might do that.' The two leaders agreed to stay in contact via direct talks, aides, and envoys. Ukraine rejected the idea of a Victory Day pause, insisting on a comprehensive long-term ceasefire rather than a symbolic short-term halt that could allow Russia to regroup. ISW assessed that Putin used the call to reiterate his original war aims and promote a cognitive warfare narrative falsely portraying Ukrainian defenses as collapsing. European allies remained aligned with Ukrainian positions, continuing planning for a 'coalition of the willing' peacekeeping force for Ukraine.