Jack Keane issues warning on Russia-Ukraine war: Putin ‘doesn’t care’ about the carnage
President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a 2-hour call on Monday in what the U.S. said was a push to get Russia to end its deadly war in Ukraine.
Both Trump and Putin described the call in a positive light, with the Kremlin chief saying it was “frank” and “useful,” but it is not immediately clear what results were achieved.
Trump took to social media to praise the call as having gone “very well” and said, “Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a Ceasefire and, more importantly, an END to the War.”
RUSSIA BOMBARDS UKRAINE WITH DRONES HOURS AFTER TRUMP ANNOUNCES TALKS WITH PUTIN
FILE – In this June 28, 2019, file photo, President Donald Trump, right, shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G-20. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)
“The conditions for that will be negotiated between the two parties, as it can only be, because they know details of a negotiation that nobody else would be aware of,” he added.
Putin, in a statement after the call, also noted that “a ceasefire with Ukraine is possible” but noted “Russia and Ukraine must find compromises that suit both sides.”
Any concrete details on the nature of these compromises remain unclear, despite negotiation attempts in Turkey on Friday, which Trump suggested failed because he needed to negotiate with Putin first.
In the lead up to the talks, Trump spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, along with other world leaders like UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, who said they are discussed the urgent need for Putin to agree to an unconditional ceasefire or face serious repercussions including more sanctions.
Trump did not mention any threat of sanctions following the call or any agreement by Putin to an unconditional ceasefire.
Zelenskyy took to X following the call and said, “This is a defining moment. The world can now see whether its leaders are truly capable of securing a ceasefire and achieving real, lasting peace.”
Ukraine’s Defence Minister Rustem Umerov talks to journalists, in Istanbul, Turkey, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP)
ZELENSKYY SPEAKS WITH TRUMP, ALLIES AFTER RUSSIA PEACE TALKS BROKER NO CEASEFIRE
The ceasefire talks fell through after a Ukrainian delegation said it was presented with demands from the Russian delegation that were “unacceptable,” including reported calls for the complete removal of Ukrainian troops from four Ukrainian regions that Russian illegally annexed in 2022, including Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia.
The Russian delegation also allegedly demanded that the international community not only recognize the regions as now Russian, but cease aid to Ukraine, including plans to supply peace-keeping troops once the fighting concludes.
Trump said he immediately alerted not only Zelenskyy and Macron to the call, but also Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Finnish President Alexander Stubb – none of whom immediately responded to Fox News Digitals questions, nor have they pubically commented on the call.
Trump also claimed that “the Vatican, as represented by the Pope, has stated that it would be very interested in hosting the negotiations.
TIRANA, ALBANIA – MAY 16: (EDITOR’S NOTE: This Handout image was provided by a third-party organization and may not adhere to Getty Images’ editorial policy.) In this handout image provided by the German Government Press Office (BPA), (LtoR) Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz, hold a telephone conversation with US President Trump on the sidelines of a meeting at the 6th European Political Community summit on May 16, 2025 at Skanderbeg Square in Tirana, Albania. (Photo by KuglerSteffen/Bundesregierung via Getty Images)
“Let the process begin,” he added, though negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, mediated by the U.S., began months ago in March.
The Vatican also did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s questions, though on Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV took to X and said, “The Holy See is willing to help enemies meet, so they may look each other in the eye and so people may be given back the dignity they deserve: the dignity of peace.
“With heart in hand, I say to the leaders of nations: let us meet; let us dialogue; let us negotiate!” he added.
