In a bold diplomatic move, US President Donald Trump is set to speak directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin, raising hopes that a long-frozen conflict may finally begin to thaw. The call, scheduled for May 19, comes on the heels of the first direct Russia-Ukraine talks in three years and is being described by Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, as potentially “very successful.”

The diplomatic flurry signals renewed US interest in reshaping the dialogue around the war in Ukraine, one of the most enduring and destabilizing conflicts in modern European history. Witkoff, appearing on ABC’s This Week, offered a surprisingly optimistic tone, emphasizing the importance of the recent Istanbul negotiations and Trump’s personal rapport with Putin as pivotal factors that could shift the trajectory of the war.

The Istanbul talks on May 16 marked a breakthrough of sorts. For the first time since 2022, Russian and Ukrainian officials met face-to-face without intermediaries. The meeting produced a significant agreement on a major prisoner exchange and a mutual understanding to submit detailed ceasefire proposals for further negotiation.

“These are good achievements,” Witkoff noted. “They’re small but crucial steps toward something much larger.” He added that Trump remains committed to brokering a stable ceasefire as the foundation for a broader peace settlement.

Trump himself echoed that sentiment, expressing cautious optimism ahead of the call. “Monday will be a productive day,” he

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