Former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will speak on Tuesday to discuss a possible ceasefire in Ukraine. Trump announced the call on Truth Social, saying he and Putin had already agreed on several aspects of a peace deal. However, many details still need to be settled.
Trump Pushes Putin for Ukraine Ceasefire
Trump expressed urgency in ending the war. He stated that 2,500 soldiers die each week on both sides. “This war must end NOW,” he wrote. He also told reporters that his goal is to achieve a peace agreement, a ceasefire, and lasting stability in the region. “I believe we can succeed,” he added.
The Trump administration has taken an active role in ceasefire talks. In a recent meeting in Jeddah, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed potential structures for negotiations with Ukrainian officials. Meanwhile, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who met with Vladimir Putin in Moscow last Thursday, has been cautious about the progress of talks.
Zelensky Criticizes Putin’s Delays
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Putin of prolonging the war. He argued that peace could have been reached long ago if Russia had been willing to cooperate. “Every day of war means more lives lost,” Zelensky said in a statement on Monday night.
Putin has signaled openness to a ceasefire but insists on certain conditions. One major issue is the Western Kursk region, where Ukraine launched an offensive last August. Russia recently reclaimed the area, and Putin insists that his forces must maintain full control. He has also rejected NATO involvement in enforcing any truce.
Global Pressure for Peace
World leaders are increasing pressure on Russia to agree to a ceasefire. French President Emmanuel Macron praised Zelensky’s willingness to negotiate and challenged Putin to do the same. “Enough deaths. Enough destruction. The guns must fall silent,” Macron wrote on X.
The UK also called for an immediate truce. Foreign Secretary David Lammy urged a “full and unconditional ceasefire now.” He told MPs that Putin had shown “no sign” of being serious about peace. Lammy warned that the UK and its allies had “more cards to play” to pressure Russia.
At the White House, officials were hopeful about the Trump-Putin call. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump was “determined” to secure a peace deal. She also mentioned that discussions could include the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which Russian forces have controlled since March 2022. The plant’s location on the Russia-Ukraine border has raised concerns about a nuclear accident.
Discussions on Land and Power Plants
When asked about possible concessions, Trump said, “We’ll discuss land and power plants. We are already negotiating asset divisions.” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov refused to disclose what Putin would discuss. “We never do that,” he said.
A key challenge in peace talks is enforcing a ceasefire along the frontline. Putin has dismissed NATO’s role in monitoring any truce, which remains a sticking point. Meanwhile, Ukraine and American delegates met in Saudi Arabia last week to discuss possible agreements. After lengthy negotiations, they accepted a 30-day ceasefire, though Russia has yet to approve the terms.
International Support for Ukraine
On Tuesday, French President Macron and newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney reaffirmed their support for Ukraine. They demanded “clear commitments” from Russia before endorsing any peace deal. Canada has pledged additional military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine as the war drags on.
Despite diplomatic efforts, both Ukraine and Russia continue military operations. The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas and allied militants attacked Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages. Since then, Ukraine’s government has reported over 48,500 deaths, though these figures include both civilians and combatants.
As tensions remain high, the Trump-Putin call will be a pivotal moment in determining whether peace is within reach.