President Donald Trump, right, is set to call Russian President Vladimir Putin in an effort to end the "bloodbath" war with Ukraine. (Kremlin Press Office / Handout/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Just hours ahead of the call, Russia launched its largest drone attack on Ukraine yet, firing 273 exploding drones and decoys targeting the Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk regions, according to Ukraine’s air force. Of those, 88 were intercepted and 128 lost, likely being electronically jammed.
Russia's defense ministry said Monday it had downed 35 Ukrainian drones overnight.
Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio also met with Zelenskyy in Rome on Sunday for ongoing peace talks.
On Friday, Russian and Ukrainian officials took part in direct talks in Turkey for the first time since the early days of the war.
Initially, there was hope that Zelenskyy and Putin would sit down with each other. The Ukrainian leader said he would attend if Putin showed up. However, after the Kremlin announced they would be sending an envoy, Zelenskyy appointed his defense minister to lead the delegation.
Residents stand next to houses heavily damaged by a Russian drone strike, outside of Kyiv on Sunday, May 18. (Reuters/Valentyn Ogirenko)
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"Nothing’s going to happen until Putin and I get together," Trump told reporters on Thursday.
Ukraine has called for a 30-day, unconditional ceasefire. Putin, however, has suggested that Ukraine might use the time to rearm and mobilize.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-call-putin-bid-end-russias-bloodbath-war-ukraine