President Trump said the tone and spirit of his two-hour phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday about the war in Ukraine were "excellent," and Russia and Ukraine would "immediately start negotiations toward a ceasefire.

Following years of outright conflict in Ukraine, President Donald Trump said that he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin wants peace between the two countries.

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said after a two-hour call with Vladimir Putin that peace talks would begin “immediately” after his Russian counterpart refused to attend negotiations May 15 with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Last year, Donald Trump promised he would end the Ukraine War in "24 hours". Last week, he said that it would not be resolved until he and Russian President Vladimir Putin could "get together" and hash it out in person. On Monday, the ground shifted again.

The leaders spoke by phone for more than two hours as the White House presses for a deal to end the fighting in Ukraine.

President Donald Trump said after a two-hour call with Vladimir Putin that peace talks would begin “immediately" between Russia and Ukraine.

Trump has repeatedly pressured both Russia and Ukraine to accept a ceasefire and peace deal to end the war that has lasted over three years.

President Donald Trump spoke with reporters in the Oval Office Monday about his phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier in the day, telling the press, there are "very big egos involved,

John Herbst, senior director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, joins 'Power Lunch' to discuss Trump's recent calls with Putin, what sanctions can do, and much more.

Vladimir Putin says Russia is prepared to discuss "compromises" on Ukraine after a "frank conversation" with Trump.

That favours Russia. As his forces grind forward, Mr Putin insists that an agreement must be reached on the terms of a peace settlement before the guns fall silent. Ukraine, backed by European leaders, wants an immediate and unconditional 30-day ceasefire, followed by talks on a permanent settlement.