US President Donald Trump expressed "deep disappointment" in both sides of the conflict in Ukraine, White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt said at a briefing for journalists on May 19, 2025. According to her, Trump's main goal in a planned phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin today is to achieve a ceasefire and end the fighting. This was reported by Reuters, which specified that Trump is seeking de-escalation, but is facing tough positions from Moscow and Kyiv.

Levitt stressed that Trump is "tired and frustrated" by the lack of progress in the talks, but remains committed to a diplomatic solution.

"The president is open to the idea of ​​a personal meeting with Putin if it will help achieve peace," “she added, noting that the White House or Trump himself will make a statement following the conversation.

However, Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov, commenting on the possibility of the meeting, said that it is not currently being prepared, although Moscow remains open to dialogue.

The phone call, scheduled for the evening of May 19, was part of Trump's efforts to resolve the conflict, which he has called "unnecessary carnage."

European leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, discussed with Trump the need to put pressure on Russia the day before. According to the Italian Council of Ministers, they called for an unconditional ceasefire, but expressed concerns that Trump might agree to a compromise that ignores Ukraine's interests. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in turn, said that "any negotiations without Kyiv's participation are doomed to failure."