EU leaders hold phone consultations with Trump ahead of US-Russia talks on Ukraine

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and French President Emmanuel Macron held a joint phone consultation with U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of his scheduled conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 19.

According to an Italian government press release, the call focused on coordinated efforts to promote a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine, per Caliber.Az.

Prime Minister Meloni reaffirmed Italy’s support—alongside that of its European and Western partners—for President Trump’s initiative to achieve a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine. She underscored the urgency of an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire.”

Meloni also welcomed Ukraine’s renewed readiness to engage in dialogue and expressed hope that Moscow would approach the upcoming talks seriously, paving the way for meaningful negotiations between the U.S. and Russian leaders.

The call comes amid growing international pressure to bring an end to the hostilities and signals a united front among key Western allies ahead of high-stakes diplomacy.

The recent peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, held in Istanbul on May 16, 2025, marked the first direct negotiations between the two nations in over three years. Despite international efforts to mediate, the discussions yielded limited progress, highlighting the enduring complexities of the conflict. The negotiations resulted in an agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners between the two countries. However, no consensus was reached on a ceasefire or broader peace framework.

President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak with President Putin to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. The U.S. has been advocating for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire and has warned of additional sanctions if Russia fails to engage sincerely in peace efforts.

By Khagan Isayev