Inside Trump’s ‘candid’ 2hr Putin call from first-name terms to family chat as details emerge from Ukraine peace talks
DONALD Trump and Vladimir Putin held a "candid" two-hour phone call on Monday afternoon in a desperate bid to end the three year-long war in Ukraine.
The US President said the negotiations are set to begin "immediately" as Vladimir Putin has finally admitted he must make a deal.
The US President claimed that Putin - who he is on first-name basis with - "wants to stop" the war, adding that negotiations towards a ceasefire will start immediately.
But he warned that there are some "big egos" involved which could make negotiations difficult.
Putin spoke to Russian state media after coming off the call and admitted that he must make a peace deal with Ukraine.
He described the conversation as "very productive" and "quite candid" that was "highly useful".
The tyrant also said that Russia is "ready to work with the Ukrainian side" on a possible future peace agreement, but both sides must be willing to compromise.
According to Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov, the call began with mad Vlad congratulating Trump "on the birth of his eleventh grandson" after his daughter Tiffany gave birth last Thursday.
The pair soon delved into the bloody war in Ukraine, taking into account the recent direct talks in Istanbul that failed to bear fruit.
The Trump administration's role in bringing both Moscow and Kyiv to the negotiating table was also noted as positive by mad Vlad.
But a deadline or timeframe for a ceasefire in Ukraine wasn't discussed - but "Trump, of course, emphasised his interest in reaching an agreement as soon as possible," Putin puppet Ushakov added.
The pair did however talk of another prisoner exchange between Russia and the US, with "another such exchange of nine for nine people" being "worked out".
Zelensky also spoke out on Monday evening to reassert his "red lines" for a peace deal.
The Ukrainian President insisted that he would not give into Russia's territory demands, saying: "Ukraine won’t withdraw its troops on its own territories."
Ushakov also revealed how Trump apparently said: "Vladimir, you can pick up the phone at any time, and I will be happy to answer, I will be happy to talk to you."
Zelensky spoke with Trump "for a few minutes" before his chat with Putin.
The pair spoke again after the call as Trump debriefed a select group of European leaders including Emmanuel Macron, Giorgia Meloni, Friedrich Merz and Alexander Stubb.
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Pope Leo meets with JD Vance
Pope Leo XIV and US Vice President JD Vance met this morning ahead of a flurry of US-led diplomatic efforts to make progress on a ceasefire in the Ukraine war.
Joining Vance at the Vatican was Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also a Catholic, Vance spokesperson Luke Schroeder said.
The Vatican listed Vance's delegation as the first of several private audiences Leo was having Monday with people who had come to Rome for his inaugural Mass.
The Vatican, which was largely sidelined during the first three years of Russia's war, has offered to host any peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
Pope Leo XIV meets US Vice President JD Vance and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Vatican todayCredit: Reuters Starmer discussed Russian sanctions with Trump ahead of Putin call
Sir Keir Starmer spoke with Donald Trump last night about today's call with Vladimir Putin.
The UK prime minister was also joined by leaders of France, Italy and Germany, his office says.
A spokeswoman said the world leaders had "discussed the need for an unconditional ceasefire and for President Putin to take peace talks seriously".
She added: "They also discussed the use of sanctions if Russia failed to engage seriously in a ceasefire and peace talks."
Polandâs Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Ukraineâs President Volodymyr Zelensky, Franceâs President Emmanuel Macron and Britainâs Prime Minister Keir Starmer speak during Ukraine security meeting at the 6th European Political Community summit on FridayCredit: Reuters One dead and three injured in Russian attack on Kherson
One person has been killed and three others injured in a heinous Russian attack on the southern city of Kherson on Sunday night.
The city's military administration said: "A 75-year-old woman sustained fatal injuries after an enemy shell hit her house."
A man and a woman were taken to hospital after the attack, having suffered concussion and blast injuries.
Putin must accept 30-day pause, says Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that Russia must agree to a 30-day halt in Ukraine.
The leader said he had spoken with fellow European leaders and that a pause in the war should be unconditional.
It comes as US President Donald Trump is to speak with Putin later today on the phone.
Macron said on X: "Tomorrow, President Putin must show he wants peace by accepting the 30-day unconditional ceasefire proposed by President Trump and backed by Ukraine and Europe."
Macron attends a press conference in Tirana, Albania on SaturdayCredit: Reuters Putin must accept 30-day pause, says Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that Russia must agree to a 30-day halt in Ukraine.
The leader said he had spoken with fellow European leaders and that a pause in the war should be unconditional.
It comes as US President Donald Trump is to speak with Putin later today on the phone.
Macron said on X: "Tomorrow, President Putin must show he wants peace by accepting the 30-day unconditional ceasefire proposed by President Trump and backed by Ukraine and Europe."
Macron attends a press conference in Tirana, Albania on SaturdayCredit: Reuters EU countries agree on proposals for 150 billion euro defence fund
EU countries have agreed on the proposals for a 150 billion euro fund aimed at boosting Europe's defence, dubbed Security Action for Europe (SAFE), an EU diplomat revealed on Monday.
The plan, proposed by the European Commission in March, will be financed through joint borrowing.
It will give loans to EU members and ensure other countries like Ukraine are given projects that bolster their defences and boost Europe's arms industry.
Russia launched drone blitz on Ukraine's Sumy region
A Russian drone attack on Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region caused building damage overnight on Monday.
The region's military administration said: "Early reports indicate that there were strikes by six drones in the Shostka hromada. The infrastructure of a business was damaged."
Emergency services scrambled to the scene, with the full extent of the damage yet to be confirmed.
Putin staged latest war games in show of strength to the West
Large landing ship Peresvet staged chilling war games in the Sea of Japan - using a 122-mm Grad-M multiple launch rocket systems - and hit targets more than six miles away.
AK-176 and AK-630 artillery units were used to destroy sea and air targets, and 12.7-mm heavy machine gun crews successfully exploded a balloon and mock sea mine.
There was no immediate sign of Russia conducting a Yars intercontinental missile test, despite Ukrainian military intelligence warning it was imminent.
Russian large landing ship Peresvet conducted war games in the waters of the Sea of JapanCredit: East2West Poland seizes tyres for Boeing aircraft headed for Russia
Polish customs has seized five metric tons of tyres for civilian Boeing aircraft which were due to travel through Belarus and Russia due to European Union sanctions.
Western sanctions against Russia have been toughened repeatedly since its full-scale invasion on Ukraine in 2022 - without ending the war.The National Revenue Administration said: "Officers... discovered during the inspection of a truck in Koroszczyn that the driver was transporting tyres used in Boeing civil planes instead of the declared car and bus tyres.
"The sender of the goods was a company from Spain, and the recipient was from Azerbaijan."Criminal fiscal proceedings were initiated in connection with customs fraud. The sanctioned goods were detained."
Trump speaking with Putin TODAY
US President Trump is expected to speak to both Vladimir Putin and brave Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky over the phone today.
The Republican looks to finally make progress towards a ceasefire.
Over the weekend, Trump said he's optimistic for a "productive day" of phone calls, with Nato leaders also to be spoken to.
Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff said the call will "clear up some of the logjam" and "get us to the place that we need to get to".
He added: "I think it's going to be a very successful call."
Credit: AFP Romania sees new 'hallmarks of Russian interference' in presidential vote
Romania's government said it had detected a misinformation campaign bearing the "hallmarks of Russian interference" in the country's presidential election Sunday after the founder of the Telegram platform indicated that France had asked for Romanian conservative voices to be silenced.
Nationalist George Simion was facing pro-European Union centrist Nicusor Dan in a tight race for the presidency.
Romania's constitutional court in December cancelled an election following allegations of Russian interference and a massive social media promotion of the far-right frontrunner. Russia denied involvement.
"During Romania's ongoing presidential elections yet again we see the hallmarks of Russian interference," Romania's foreign ministry spokesman posted on X.
"A viral campaign of fake news on Telegram and other social media platforms is aimed to influence the electoral process," he added.
No10 says Starmer discussed Ukraine war European leaders
Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday discussed the war in Ukraine with leaders of the U.S., Italy, France and Germany, a Downing Street spokesperson said.
The leaders also discussed the use of sanctions if Russia failed to engage seriously in a ceasefire and peace talks, the spokesperson added.
Zelensky congratulates Dan on 'historic victory' in Romania's presidential vote
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Nicusor Dan on his "historic victory" in Romania's presidential election.
Dan appeared early on Monday, on course to win the Romanian presidency.
"For Ukraine as a neighbour and friend it is important to have Romania as a reliable partner," Zelenskiy said in a post on X.
"And we are confident we will. By working together, we can strengthen both our countries and our Europe."
Putin expands nuclear missile base after test at frozen site killed five
Putin has expanded one of his nuclear weapons bases at a frozen site in Russia.
It is the same military site where five people were killed after a nuclear-powered missile exploded while testing in 2019.
New satellite images reveal construction work inside the strictly controlled military site of Nenoksa.
Three new facilities - each the size of a football field - can be seen at the centre of the naval testing site.
They have been constructed near a railway line that is thought to bring missiles and testing gear into Nenoksa.
The area, which before 2023 was forest, is now surrounded by double-barbed wire fences.
The entire compound, located some 40 miles west of Arkhangelsk in northern Russia, is thought to be more than 61,000 square meters wide - and is heavily fortified.
Construction at the Russian military site is thought to have begun in 2023, according to the , which has been tracking all its activities.
European voters deliver crushing blow to Putin
Europe's voters have delivered a crushing blow to Putin in a shock election twist, following a re-run after claims of Russian meddling.
Millions of Europeans headed to the polls today in what is being called a Super Sunday showdown.
Romania's far-right candidate George Simion has long been the favourite to win the country's presidential election.
Simion comfortably won the first round of voting on May 4 with 41 per cent of the vote - double that of rival Nicusor Dan.
But Dan snagged the win in what proved to be a nail-biting finish.
Dan's win comes as a massive blow to Putin who has the support of the far-right.
His win would have been welcome news to Putin, with the former football ultra previously pledging to end military aid to Kyiv.
Continue to read more here.
Nicusor Dan is expected to win the election, according to exit pollsCredit: EPA 
Far-right candidate George Simion casts his vote during Romaniaâs presidential election in BucharestCredit: Shutterstock Editorialn
Map shows the range of Russia's RS-28 Yars ICBM
The RS-24 Yars is a three-stage, solid-fuel ICBM that has a flight range of more than 6,200 miles - more than double the distance between Russia and the UK.
Russia shows lack of intent to end the war, Zelensky tells Vance
The Ukrainian president said he told the US VP about "unrealistic conditions" put forward by Russia during peace talks in Istanbul.
Russia detains oil tanker belonging to Nato member
Russia has detained an oil tanker owned by Greece.
The ship container Green Admire was leaving Sillamae, an Estonian Baltic Sea port, using a designated navigation channel that crosses Russian waters, according to the Estonian foreign ministry.
The ministry said it had alerted Nato allies about the incident.
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said: "Today's incident shows that Russia continues to behave unpredictably.
"I have also informed our allies of the event."
In pictures: Zelensky meets the new pope
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Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Trump becoming impatient with Russia, says Finnish president
Alexander Stubb said Trump is becoming impatient with Russia after speaking to the US leader.
Stubb said: "If we were to pull it together, we could say that Zelenskyy is patient and President Trump is starting to be impatient, but in the right direction, that is, towards Russia."
Russia is strong enough to end what it started, says Putin
Vladimir Putin today said that Russia has the “strength and resources” to finish its objective in the Ukraine war.
“We have enough strength and resources to bring what was started in 2022 to a logical conclusion with the result that Russia needs,” he said.
The comment came after Russia refused to accept a 22-point peace plan that would lead to further direct talks with Kyiv and a 20-day ceasefire.
Zelensky-Vance talks went 'better than Oval Office row'
A meeting between Ukrainian President Zelensky and JD Vance went "better" than the infamous Oval Office spat in February, an official has said.
The two spoke of Donald Trump's phone call with Vladimir Putin tomorrow and how the US President looks to end the "bloodbath" in Ukraine.
It comes a day after the first direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv in over three years produced little outcomes, the unnamed official confirmed.
Referencing what Zelensky told Vance during their talk, the source said: "The message is the same as before: we want to end the war, and they don’t."
Pictures: Zelensky and Vance meeting for first time since White House bust-up
Zelensky ready for 'talks in any format' after Vatican offers to host
Ukrainian leader Zelensky has said Kyiv was ready for talks in any format to get an actual outcome in ending the war with Russia.
He said on Telegram that he was grateful to the Vatican for offering to host Russia-Ukraine direct talks and "for its clear voice to defend just and lasting peace".
Pope Leo XIV met with Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska at the end of the Inauguration Mass In St. Peter’s Square today.
Zelensky and Vance 'talked of upcoming Trump-Putin call'
Ukrainian President Zelensky talked of the upcoming phone call between Donald Trump and mad Vladimir Putin during a short meeting with JD Vance on Sunday, a senior Ukrainian official revealed.
The brave leader and the US vice-president spoke of "the situation on the front, preparations for the [Trump-Putin] conversation on Monday, the possibility of sanctions against Russia if there are no results, a ceasefire," the anonymous official said.