Inside Trump’s ‘candid’ 2hr Putin call from first-name terms to family chat as details emerge from Ukraine peace talks
DONALD Trump and Vladimir Putin held a "candid" two-hour phone call on Monday afternoon in a desperate bid to end the three year-long war in Ukraine.
The US President said the negotiations are set to begin "immediately" as Vladimir Putin has finally admitted he must make a deal.
The US President claimed that Putin - who he is on first-name basis with - "wants to stop" the war, adding that negotiations towards a ceasefire will start immediately.
But he warned that there are some "big egos" involved which could make negotiations difficult.
Putin spoke to Russian state media after coming off the call and admitted that he must make a peace deal with Ukraine.
He described the conversation as "very productive" and "quite candid" that was "highly useful".
The tyrant also said that Russia is "ready to work with the Ukrainian side" on a possible future peace agreement, but both sides must be willing to compromise.
According to Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov, the call began with mad Vlad congratulating Trump "on the birth of his eleventh grandson" after his daughter Tiffany gave birth last Thursday.
The pair soon delved into the bloody war in Ukraine, taking into account the recent direct talks in Istanbul that failed to bear fruit.
The Trump administration's role in bringing both Moscow and Kyiv to the negotiating table was also noted as positive by mad Vlad.
But a deadline or timeframe for a ceasefire in Ukraine wasn't discussed - but "Trump, of course, emphasised his interest in reaching an agreement as soon as possible," Putin puppet Ushakov added.
The pair did however talk of another prisoner exchange between Russia and the US, with "another such exchange of nine for nine people" being "worked out".
Zelensky also spoke out on Monday evening to reassert his "red lines" for a peace deal.
The Ukrainian President insisted that he would not give into Russia's territory demands, saying: "Ukraine won’t withdraw its troops on its own territories."
Ushakov also revealed how Trump apparently said: "Vladimir, you can pick up the phone at any time, and I will be happy to answer, I will be happy to talk to you."
Zelensky spoke with Trump "for a few minutes" before his chat with Putin.
The pair spoke again after the call as Trump debriefed a select group of European leaders including Emmanuel Macron, Giorgia Meloni, Friedrich Merz and Alexander Stubb.
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Watch: JD Vance speaks on Trump-Putin phone call
Trump-Putin talks underway, White House confirms
Trump spoke to Zelensky before Putin call
President Donald Trump held a crunch phone call with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier today, according to the Ukrainian presidency.
This call has not been confirmed by the US who initially said Trump would speak to Putin first and Zelensky second.
Still no confirmation on whether Trump and Putin call has started
Trump and Putin set to speak over the phone now
Trump 'open' to meeting with Putin soon
Donald Trump is open to meeting with Vladimir Putin in order to force a peace deal over the line - despite the pair recently butting heads.
The two world leaders are set to speak on the phone today with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt being asked if she thinks the pair would ever meet in person soon.
She responded: “I think the President would certainly be open to that but let’s see how this call goes today.”
Credit: AP Trump will phone Zelensky straight after Putin call
Donald Trump will hold two crucial phone calls today with both Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, according to Karoline Leavitt.
The White House press secretary said: "You will hear directly from the president or me after those calls conclude today."
She added she "doesn't want to get ahead of any conversations" but said Trump will make sure to put "America first".
Trump's foreign policy is 'America first' says Leavitt ahead of Putin call
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has stated that President Donald Trump's foreign policy is "America first" ahead of his call with Vladimir Putin.
She said: "The president is moving as quickly as he possibly can to end these conflicts in Israel and Gaza and also the Russia-Ukraine war."
Leavitt added that the US President plans to call Volodymyr Zelensky after the call with mad Vlad concludes.
She concluded: "I don’t want to get ahead of those very important conversations but of course you will hear directly from the president or me after those calls conclude today."
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during the daily briefing in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House todayCredit: AFP Zelensky speaks to his team after Turkey peace talks
Credit: AFP 
Credit: AFP
Trump is 'weary and frustrated' with both sides of conflict
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has said US President Donald Trump has "grown weary and frustrated" with "both sides" of the war.
It comes minutes before Trump speaks to Vladimir Putin on the phone.
Leavitt said: "The president has made it clear his goal is to see a ceasefire and to see this conflict come to an end.
"He has grown weary and frustrated with both sides of the conflict. The president and his team have put an enormous amount of effort into solving this very complicated war that, again, began because of the previous administration’s weakness."
Vance says 'if Russia doesn't engage, US has to say this isn't our war'
JD Vance has warned that if Russia isn't "willing to engage" then "eventually, the US has to say this is not our war".
The vice president added that Vladimir Putin "does not seem to know" how to get out of the war.
The Russian tyrant is due to speak to Donald Trump at 3pm UK time.
Turkey peace talks showed 'stark difference' between Russia and Ukraine - Kyiv foreign minister
The direct Russia-Ukraine peace talks on Thursday showed the "stark difference" between the two countries, Ukraine's foreign minister said.
Hours before Donald Trump calls mad Vladimir Putin, Andrii Sybiha said on X: "The Istanbul meeting highlighted another stark difference between Russia and Ukraine.
"Ukraine is forward-looking, focused on the full and immediate ceasefire to kickstart the real peace process.
"To the contrary, Russia is completely focused on the past, rejecting the ceasefire and instead talking constantly about the 2022 Istanbul meetings, attempting to make the same absurd demands as three years ago.
"This is yet another reason why pressure on Russia must be increased.
"Moscow must now understand the consequences of impeding the peace process."
Russia fails to launch nuclear capable intercontinental ballistic missile
Mad Vladimir Putin reportedly failed to launch his nuclear capable intercontinental ballistic missile.
Putin had planned to launch his impervious RS-24 Yars ballistic missile overnight but no blast ever registered in the Sverdlovsk test site.
The GUR of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine noted the failed launch but are yet to confirm what caused it.
Russia has failed to test the intercontinental weapon on several occasions in the past.
The launch of a Russian Yars intercontinental ballistic missileCredit: East2West Russia fails to launch nuclear capable intercontinental ballistic missile
Mad Vladimir Putin reportedly failed to launch his nuclear capable intercontinental ballistic missile.
Putin had planned to launch his impervious RS-24 Yars ballistic missile overnight but no blast ever registered in the Sverdlovsk test site.
The GUR of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine noted the failed launch but are yet to confirm what caused it.
Russia has failed to test the intercontinental weapon on several occasions in the past.
The launch of a Russian Yars intercontinental ballistic missileCredit: East2West Zelensky indirectly pressures Russia after meeting Vance
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky intensified his efforts for a peace deal after meeting with US vice president JD Vance in Rome on Sunday.
The brave president said on X that during his talks with the Vance and secretary of state Marco Rubio, negotiations in Turkey were discussed where "Russians sent a low level delegation of non-decision makers".
He also reiterated that Ukraine is engaged in "real diplomacy" for a ceasefire.
Zelensky added on X: "We have also touched upon the need for sanctions against Russia, bilateral trade, defence cooperation, battlefield situation and upcoming prisoners exchange.
"Pressure is needed against Russia until they are eager to stop the war."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, left, comments during a bilateral meeting with US Vice President JD Vance on peace talks with RussiaCredit: Alamy Live News
Pope Leo and JD Vance had 'an exchange of views'
The Vatican has described the meeting between Pope Leo and US vice president JD Vance as an "exchange of views" on contentious issues like the Ukraine war and Gaza.
The new pontiff met with Vance the morning after his inaugural mass.
The Vatican press office said: "Finally, there was an exchange of views on some current international issues, during which hope was expressed that humanitarian law and international law be respected in areas of conflict and that there be a negotiated solution between the parties involved."
Pope Leo XIV holds a private audience with US Vice President J.D. Vance at the Apostolic Palace today Russia kills two civilians HOURS before Trump-Putin call
Russia has killed at least two people and injured 13 in Russian attacks over the past day.
The tragic deaths and injuries come just hours before Donald Trump is to call Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.
Two people and six were injured in the Kherson region following intense shelling on an overwhelming 30 towns.
And more people were injured in Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
Russia BANS Amnesty International - calling human rights organisation 'Russophobic'
Russia's prosecutor general said on Monday it had banned human rights group Amnesty International as an "undesirable organisation".
Amnesty International campaigns for human rights across the world, including on behalf of those it designates prisoners of conscience.
In its statement, Russia's prosecutor general said that Amnesty International's London office was a "centre for the preparation of global Russophobic projects", and accused it of advocating of behalf of Ukraine, with which Russia is at war.
Russia regularly designates organisations it says undermine its national security as "undesirable".
The designation mandates penalties of up to five years in prison for Russian citizens working with or funding designated groups.
Pictures: Aftermath of overnight Russian blitz
US mediation better for direct Ukraine talks, says Kremlin
Earlier we reported that the Kremlin has confirmed the phone call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin will occur later today at 5pm Moscow time.
Now Kremlin mouthpiece Dmitry Peskov has suggested the idea that US-mediated talks between Russia and Ukraine could be discussed.
Peskov said: "If US mediation in the talks would help Russia achieve its goals in Ukraine through peaceful means, then Moscow would support the move."
He added that discussions will include the results of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in Turkey a few days ago.
US mediation better for direct Ukraine talks, says Kremlin
Earlier we reported that the Kremlin has confirmed the phone call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin will occur later today at 5pm Moscow time.
Now Kremlin mouthpiece Dmitry Peskov has suggested the idea that US-mediated talks between Russia and Ukraine could be discussed.
Peskov said: "If US mediation in the talks would help Russia achieve its goals in Ukraine through peaceful means, then Moscow would support the move."
He added that discussions will include the results of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in Turkey a few days ago.
What might Trump want out of the Putin phone call?
Donald Trump is to speak directly with Vladimir Putin later on today, and afterwards will also have a call with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky.
The US President already said he hoped to speak with mad Vlad about the ongoing "bloodbath" in Ukraine, as well as trade.
This could mean the Republican could be looking to use financial incentives to turn screws on Moscow to then reach a ceasefire in Ukraine.
The phone call is also set to cover last week's peace talks in Turkey which failed to bear fruit.
Trump has spoken on the phone with the Russian tyrant multiple times since his second term began in January.
Trump and Putin hold a bilateral meeting at the G20 leaders summit in Osaka, Japan in 2019Credit: Reuters Kremlin confirms Putin-Trump call for 5pm Moscow time
The Kremlin has confirmed the Putin-Trump phone call happening later today, RIA state news agency reports.
Putin puppet Dmitry Peskov said the discussion will take into account the results of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul a few days ago.
The call is set to take place at 5pm Moscow time.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov speaks on the phone prior to a meeting of Russian President Vladimir PutinCredit: Reuters Ukraine attacks Russian radars in Black Sea
Ukraine has destroyed Black Sea gas infrastructure belonging to Russia using unmanned drones, the country's security service said.
The target of the strikes was "Russian radar equipment installed on Ukrainian gas extraction platforms," the SSU revealed.
A Neva radar station, gas storage points and a residential block on the platform were damaged.
The SSU added: "As part of the same special operation, SSU specialised officers used two types of drones, demonstrating the effectiveness of joint deployment.
"Once again, we reminded the enemy that there is no place for Russian junk in the Black Sea."
Finland to use frozen Russian assets to supply Ukraine
Finland is to supply ammunition to Ukraine by using proceeds from frozen Russian assets, the Finnish defence ministry has revealed.
The ministry said in a statement: "Finland has been selected as one of the states implementing European Union measures to supply Ukraine with defence materiel using proceeds from frozen Russian assets."
The ammunition would be procured from Finnish suppliers and is valued at 90 million euro, it said.
It comes imminently after it was announced that EU countries agreed on the proposals for a 150 billion euro fund aimed at boosting Europe’s defence, dubbed Security Action for Europe (SAFE).