Inside Trump-Putin phonecall as leaders discuss Ukraine ceasefire

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

72% : The tone and spirit of the conversation were excellent.' Trump said that Russia wants to do 'largescale trade with the United States' after the fighting, which he called a 'bloodbath,' ends.
70% : Trump said: 'Vladimir, you can pick up the phone at any time, I will be happy to answer, I will be happy to talk to you,' Ushakov said.
64% : Donald Trump, pictured in Washington on Monday, spoke with Russian president Vladimir Putin for the first time since February on Monday Putin said after the call that Russia would work with Ukraine on a memorandum about a future peace accord A Ukrainian serviceman fires a CAESAR self-propelled howitzer towards Russian troops, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, on a front line in Donetsk region, Ukraine, April 18 Trump wrote on his Truth Social site Monday that he completed a 'two hour call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia.' 'I believe it went very well.
60% : Donald Trump heralded 'impressive' prospects for ties with Russia after his two-hour call with Vladimir Putin on Monday.
59% : 'It is preferable to achieve our goals through political and diplomatic means, of course,' Peskov said.
54% : But he himself is not a supporter of sanctions, but rather of reaching some agreements.' Putin in his own remarks called the phone call 'very meaningful' and 'very, very informative and helpful.' Pope Leo XIV takes the Inauguration Mass in St Peter's Square on May 18, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican Tankers of the 115th Separate Mechanized Brigade training at a training ground in Donetsk region, Ukraine on April 28, 2025 The call was the first time Trump and Putin are believed to have spoken since February.
53% : 'The presidents also spoke in some detail about the future of our relations, and President Trump, I can say, spoke quite emotionally about the prospects for these relations,' Ushakov said.
49% : The pair addressed each other by their first names and Putin congratulated Trump on the birth of his grandson, Kremlin foreign aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters.
49% : Trump said that Russia and Ukraine would negotiate directly between themselves since they 'know the details', suggesting Pope Leo XIV could host the talks.
41% : Asked if the lifting of U.S. sanctions had been discussed, Ushakov said: 'You know, Trump mentioned that the Senate, in principle, has a bill ready regarding new sanctions.
39% : But despite the cordiality, neither side came away from the call with a clear timeline for a Ukraine ceasefire - though Trump said talks would begin 'immediately'.
38% : Firefighters extinguish a fire at a business damaged by Russian drone attack on May 15, 2025 in Velyka Chernechchyna Firefighters extinguish a blaze after a Russian drone strike on May 3, 2025 in Kharkiv, Ukraine A Pokemon toy is seen on debris of a house heavily damaged by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, outside of Kyiv, Ukraine May 18, 2025 On the Russian side, Ushakov told reporters that the two leaders had not discussed a timeline for a ceasefire in Ukraine, but that Trump had stressed his interest in reaching agreements quickly.
34% : Trump and Putin are both in favour of meeting in person and will assign their teams to work on preparing a meeting, Ushakov said, but no venue has been agreed.
27% : Leavitt wouldn't answer when asked if Trump thinks Putin is the 'good guy' or the 'bad guy' in the conflict.
13% : Trump said during the campaign that he would easily end the conflict 'quickly' and that it would take him 'no longer than one day.' White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dodged when asked Monday morning for specifics in advance of Trump's call and whether Trump would push Putin to accept a ceasefire.

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