Trump to call Putin to end 'bloodbath'

Russia launches 'record attack': Kyiv

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US President Donald Trump said Saturday he would speak by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the “bloodbath” in Ukraine, a day after the first direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in more than three years.

Mr Trump, who has been pressing Russia to agree a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, said he would speak with Mr Putin by phone today. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov told the state TASS news agency the call was "being prepared.

Earlier Saturday, the Kremlin had said that a meeting between Putin: Focus on Mr Putin and eradicating causes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would be possible only after both sides reach an agreement.

That came a day after direct talks between the two countries led to an agreement for another exchange of prisoners.

Early Saturday, a Russian drone attack on a minibus carrying evacuated civilians in Ukraine's eastern Sumy region killed nine people and wounded five, local authorities said.

Mr Zelensky, denouncing the attack and Russia's refusal so far to agree a ceasefire, repeated his call for fresh sanctions against Moscow.

"Without stronger sanctions, without stronger pressure on Russia, there will be no real diplomacy there," he insisted.

Ukraine said yesterday that Russia had launched a record number of drones at the country overnight, targeting various regions, including that of the capital Kyiv, where a woman was killed.

The attacks came two days after the first direct peace talks between officials from Russia and Ukraine in more than three years, which failed to produce a truce.