On Monday, US President Donald Trump conducted a two-hour phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, addressing significant elements of the ongoing war in Ukraine, now entering its third year.

Prior to the call, Trump also spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as part of an initiative to facilitate a ceasefire in the region.

Following the call, Zelensky expressed hope that both Europe and Washington would recognize any unreasonable demands from Russia as evidence of a lack of genuine desire for peace.

He indicated that he is confident that the European Union would impose new sanctions on the Kremlin should such a scenario arise, while acknowledging the necessity to collaborate closely with the United States to ensure Trump mirrors this stance.

Putin, following his conversation with Trump, stated that Russia is prepared to engage with Ukraine on a memorandum regarding a future peace treaty, which could include terms related to a ceasefire and principles for conflict resolution.

Russian state media reported his remarks to journalists post-conversation.

Before the anticipated dialogue between Trump and Putin, US Vice President JD Vance remarked that there is a stalemate in the situation and suggested that Trump would challenge Putin on the seriousness of his intentions.

Vance reiterated that the US position has consistently been that Russia would not obtain economic benefits from reintegrating with the world community if it continues to cause civilian casualties.

In the lead-up to the Trump-Putin call, leaders from the UK, France, Germany, and Italy also spoke with Trump, urging for serious engagement from Putin in peace negotiations.

The UK government issued a statement pressing Putin to take the peace talks seriously.

French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated on social media that Putin should demonstrate a willingness for peace by accepting the proposed unconditional 30-day ceasefire backed by both Ukraine and Europe, reinforcing that 'peace at any price' is not true peace.

While diplomatic efforts intensify, violence continues unabated in Ukraine.

Russia has maintained routine nighttime drone and missile attacks against Ukrainian civilians more than three years after initiating a large-scale invasion aimed at capturing Kyiv.

On Sunday, Russian bombardments targeted residential areas in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kherson, resulting in the death of a 75-year-old woman and injuring two others, according to local municipal reports on social media platform Telegram.

Additionally, Russia has faced widespread condemnation in the West for its role in the ongoing conflict, as well as for the authoritarian regime under Putin's leadership.

On Monday, the Russian Prosecutor General's Office designated Amnesty International as an 'undesirable organization,' effectively banning its operations within the country.

Authorities accused the London-based human rights group of being 'Russophobic,' attempting to prolong the war, justifying the actions of 'Ukrainian neo-Nazi criminals,' and having staff that supports 'extremist organizations.'

In a post on Truth Social over the weekend, Trump remarked that his conversation with Putin aims to 'stop the bloodbath' that is reportedly claiming the lives of over 5,000 Russian and Ukrainian soldiers weekly.

His stance has faced significant criticism for seemingly offering concessions to Russia while demanding sacrifices from Ukraine.

Former US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink expressed her dissent, outlining her reasons for resignation last month, stating that the Trump administration has historically pressured Ukraine, the victim, rather than Russia, the aggressor.

Despite Trump's claims of being able to end the war within 24 hours upon taking office, he has encountered the complexities of the situation, as evidenced by the recent US-sponsored negotiations that allowed for in-person meetings between Russian and Ukrainian delegates in Istanbul last week, marking the first dialogue since the early days of the 2022 invasion.