Trump calls on Putin and Zelenskyy to ‘get this war ended,’ pushes for 30-day ceasefire

US President Donald Trump on May 9 called on Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to bring the war in Ukraine to an end, labeling the ongoing conflict “stupid” and pressing for a 30-day ceasefire.

“I have a message for both parties: Get this war ended,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “Get this stupid war finished. That’s my message for both of them.”

Trump’s remarks followed a warning from the US Embassy in Kyiv about a “potentially significant” Russian air attack in the coming days. The embassy urged American citizens to be ready to shelter immediately if air alerts are issued.

According to the White House, Trump had a “very good and productive” phone call with President Zelenskyy on May 8, during which the proposed temporary ceasefire was discussed. Trump is hoping that both Russia and Ukraine will agree to the 30-day truce as early as next week.

Trump is set to depart on May 12 for a diplomatic trip to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. Despite speculation, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt clarified that there are no plans for a meeting between Trump and President Putin during the visit.

In Kyiv, Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, confirmed that he had spoken by phone with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other senior officials regarding the proposed ceasefire and broader peace negotiations. US envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg, as well as Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, also took part in the discussions.

“The main focus was the question of the ceasefire and prospects for a peace settlement,” Yermak wrote on Telegram. “Also discussed was the importance of implementing the points on which our presidents agreed.”