In a significant diplomatic development, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the initiation of immediate negotiations for a ceasefire in Ukraine following a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Putin has conditionally agreed to a temporary halt in hostilities, a marked shift in the Russian stance that has long resisted such calls from both American and European officials.

However, the Russian President stipulated that this ceasefire must be accompanied by agreements that reflect the interests of both Russia and Ukraine.

During the two-hour call, characterized by both leaders as constructive, Trump emphasized the urgency of establishing a ceasefire.

Following the conversation, he communicated this progress to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and leaders from France, Italy, Germany, and Finland.

In a post on his social media platform, Trump revealed that the Vatican, represented by the Pope, expressed interest in hosting the negotiations, stating, "Let the process begin!" Trump further noted that Moscow is interested in expanding trade relations with the United States post-conflict, citing significant potential for creating jobs and wealth in Russia.

Putin indicated his willingness to engage in drafting a memorandum of understanding with Ukraine regarding the ceasefire.

He reaffirmed Russia's commitment to seeking a peaceful resolution that accommodates both Russian and Ukrainian interests.

The Russian President acknowledged Trump’s previous accusations regarding Moscow's attempts to undermine negotiation efforts and expressed gratitude for the initiative to resume talks between the two nations.

Despite this apparent thawing of relations, Putin maintained key positions, indicating that any ceasefire must align with Russian demands and that resolving the underlying issues leading to the conflict is paramount.

He emphasized the necessity for compromises that would be acceptable to both parties, reiterating the need for a political settlement to the ongoing crisis.

The phone call notably focused solely on the conflict in Ukraine, a departure from previous tendencies for discussions to encompass a broader agenda.

The Kremlin had earlier indicated that preparations for a presidential summit between Trump and Putin were not underway, with presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stating that such a meeting would occur only when deemed necessary by both leaders.

Ukrainian President Zelensky, however, underscored the importance of his government's involvement in any decisions regarding its future, requesting Trump not to make any determinations about Ukraine without Kyiv's consent.

He also called for heightened sanctions against Russia should it fail to adhere to a ceasefire agreement.

The recent conversation marks the third interaction between the two leaders since Trump assumed office, and is distinguished by its singular focus on reaching a resolution for the Ukraine conflict.

Following this call, recent talks between Russian and Ukrainian representatives in Istanbul resulted in an agreement to exchange large numbers of prisoners, with both sides expressing a commitment to further discussions regarding a potential ceasefire.