European Leaders Hold Talks with Trump Ahead of Putin Call on Ukraine

(MENAFN) Leading European figures, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, engaged in discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump concerning the ongoing situation in Ukraine, immediately prior to Trump's scheduled phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

A statement released by Downing Street on Monday detailed a late Sunday conversation involving the leaders of France, Germany, and Italy, with the primary focus being the war in Ukraine and its devastating human and economic costs.

The leaders collectively advocated for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, while also pressing Moscow to engage constructively in peace negotiations.

"The leaders discussed the situation in Ukraine, and the catastrophic cost of the war to both sides," the statement read.

"Looking ahead to President Trump’s call with President Putin tomorrow, the leaders discussed the need for an unconditional ceasefire and for President Putin to take peace talks seriously."

The group also deliberated on the implementation of further sanctions should Russia fail to participate constructively in the peace process.

The statement further indicated that the leaders committed to maintaining close communication as diplomatic efforts progressed.

Trump had previously announced on his Truth Social platform on Saturday his intention to speak with Putin on Monday, followed by calls with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and various NATO leaders, aiming to halt what he described as a "bloodbath" that is "killing, on average, more than 5,000 Russian and Ukrainian soldiers a week."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Monday that the phone conversation between Putin and Trump was scheduled for 17:00 Moscow time (GMT1400).

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