A highly anticipated phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump is set to take place on Monday, with the Ukraine conflict and a potential ceasefire between Moscow and Kiev topping the agenda. The conversation, announced by Trump on Saturday, aims to address the ongoing “bloodbath” between Russia and Ukraine, as well as bilateral trade issues.

According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the call will build on the recent Turkish-mediated meeting between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, which laid the groundwork for further negotiations. Moscow views the upcoming conversation as “important” and appreciates the US mediation role in resolving the Ukraine conflict through diplomatic means. Peskov emphasized that Russia values the US efforts, stating, “We highly value the United States’ mediating efforts – if they truly help us achieve our objectives by peaceful means.”

The US president’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who played a key role in initiating the Ukraine peace process, has expressed optimism about the call, hoping it will be “very successful” and help clear “some of the logjam” in the negotiations. This sentiment reflects the urgency and importance of finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict, which has been a major point of contention between Russia and Ukraine.

As the international community watches with bated breath, the phone call between Putin and Trump is seen as a crucial step towards de-escalating tensions and finding a lasting solution to the Ukraine conflict. With the US mediation efforts underway, there is a glimmer of hope that a ceasefire can be achieved, bringing much-needed relief to the affected regions. The conversation on Monday is expected to be a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to resolve the conflict, and its outcome will be closely monitored by the global community.