‘A bit of…’: Trump says he made big Ukraine request during call with Putin

The article notes that Russia marks Victory Day on May 9 to commemorate the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, celebrated each year with a military parade in central Moscow.

Kremlin aide said that both Trump and Putin expressed essentially similar assessments of Ukraine under President Volodymyr Zelensky, who they said is pursuing a policy of prolonging the conflict.

At Trump's request, Vladimir Putin described the current situation along the line of contact, where our troops are holding the strategic initiative and pushing back the enemy's positions, Ushakov told reporters. Trump also told reporters that he would much rather have Putin 'be involved with ending the war with Ukraine.'

Ushakov said Putin was ready 'to declare a ceasefire for the duration of Victory Day celebrations,' and Trump actively supported the initiative, noting that the holiday marks a shared victory.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said the call lasted more than 90 minutes and was 'frank and businesslike,' with the leaders discussing the war in Ukraine, now in its fifth year since Russia's invasion in 2022.

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he discussed a possible Ukraine ceasefire with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a phone call, calling the talk a 'good talk' and noting that he suggested 'a little bit of a ceasefire' in the Ukraine war.