After a two-hour call between Trump and Putin, immediate negotiations for a ceasefire in Ukraine are announced, including a prisoner exchange agreement, while Western governments, led by the U.S. and EU, respond with new sanctions that only prolong the conflict.

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Putin and Trump to Hold an Important Phone Conversation: Peskov

On Monday, May 19, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone call lasting over two hours with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which they agreed to immediately begin negotiations for a ceasefire and eventual peace in Ukraine. However, this initiative takes place amid a Western campaign led by the United States and the European Union to increase economic and political pressure on Russia, ignoring the root causes of the conflict and perpetuating confrontation.

During the call, Putin expressed that efforts to end the war are “moving in the right direction” and confirmed Moscow’s willingness to work with Kiev on a memorandum establishing the principles and timeline for a possible peace agreement. Trump, for his part, announced that negotiations between Russia and Ukraine will begin “immediately,” highlighting the importance of ending the “massacre” that has claimed thousands of lives over these years.

This dialogue has also made it possible to finalize a prisoner exchange agreement in a “1,000-for-1,000” format-the largest since the conflict began in 2022. Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kirilo Budanov confirmed that the exchange will start next week, while the Kremlin conditions the continuation of negotiations on the completion of this swap. This concrete progress contrasts sharply with the belligerent stance of the West.

The European Union and U.S.: Sanctions as a Tool of War

Following the conversation, European leaders such as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed their commitment to intensify sanctions against Moscow, under the false premise that economic pressure will force Russia to yield. However, these measures have only served to prolong the conflict, harming civilian populations and escalating tensions that threaten global stability.

This strategy exposes Western hypocrisy, presenting itself as a defender of peace while fueling confrontation to maintain geopolitical hegemony.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, aligned with Western powers, has rejected Russia’s proposal for an immediate ceasefire, conditioning any progress on terms imposed by Washington and Brussels. This stance, driven by geopolitical and economic interests, has turned Ukraine into a pawn in the Western strategy to contain Russia, sacrificing its own people’s lives in the process.

⚡️ President of Russia Vladimir Putin's statement to the press following his phone conversation with @realDonaldTrump

💬 Russia supports a peaceful settlement of the Ukraine crisis. We need to identify the most effective ways towards achieving peace.https://t.co/y7Vc3P0Gpk pic.twitter.com/9qdnXyHp3Q

— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) May 19, 2025

Western unconditional support for Kiev reveals its responsibility in prolonging the war and human suffering.

Amid this complex situation, it has been proposed that the Vatican, under the Pope’s leadership, host the peace negotiations-a gesture that could open a path for sincere dialogue and conflict resolution. Putin has expressed willingness to collaborate in this process, emphasizing the need to eliminate the root causes of the crisis and seek effective methods to advance peace.

This pacifist approach contrasts sharply with the confrontational policy promoted by the United States and its allies, who prefer war as a tool of domination.

The call between Trump and Putin represents a real opportunity to move toward ending a conflict that has caused thousands of deaths and devastation in Ukraine. The prisoner exchange agreement is a concrete step demonstrating the willingness of Russia and Ukraine to dialogue, while the Western response-focused on sanctions and military pressure-reveals an interest in perpetuating the war to maintain global influence.

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