Trump to Speak with Putin on Ukraine Ceasefire
US President Donald Trump has announced plans to engage in discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday concerning the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Trump indicated that negotiations are currently underway regarding the potential division of certain assets between the warring factions. US officials expressed optimism over the weekend that a ceasefire agreement could materialize in the near future, perhaps within weeks, following a proposal made by Washington to halt hostilities in the three-year-long war, a proposal that Kyiv has reportedly accepted after discussions in Saudi Arabia.
During an in-flight statement aboard Air Force One, Trump remarked, “I think we’ll be talking about land… we’ll be talking about power plants.” He noted that significant discussions regarding the division of assets have already taken place between Ukraine and Russia. The situation continues to be complex, with Washington and Kyiv’s European allies urging Moscow to reach an agreement to end the fighting, whereas President Putin has refrained from providing a definitive response, instead citing several conditions and raising concerns about the proposal.
Envoy’s Optimism Ahead of Trump-Putin Call
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s envoy for the conflict, recently met with President Putin for extended talks and expressed confidence in the potential for a positive dialogue between the two leaders this week. Witkoff stated, “I believe the two presidents are going to have a really good and positive discussion this week,” and emphasized Trump’s expectations for a significant deal in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused the Kremlin of lacking genuine interest in ending the war. He warned that Moscow seems intent on enhancing their battlefield position before considering any ceasefire proposals. Such claims underscore the tenuous nature of the discussions as all parties navigate the complexities of the negotiations.
Calls for Continued Dialogue
In an earlier development, it was reported that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had reached out to his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov to discuss the implementation details of agreements made during a recent US-Russia summit in Saudi Arabia. This summit, held last month, marked the first high-level dialogue between the two nations since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022.
The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed the dialogue, stating that Lavrov and Rubio agreed to maintain communication, although the ceasefire proposal was not specifically mentioned. Meanwhile, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce highlighted that the two officials had “discussed the next steps” regarding Ukraine, indicating a willingness to continue working towards reopening channels between the United States and Russia.
UK’s Accusations and Ongoing Hostilities
Following a virtual summit on Ukraine hosted by the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticized President Putin for being slow to agree to a ceasefire, stating that simply saying “yes, but” is insufficient. Starmer called for an end to what he described as the “barbaric attacks” on Ukraine, expressing a sense of urgency for a resolution.
On Sunday, reports emerged that Moscow had launched a significant aerial assault involving 90 Iranian-made Shahed drones targeting nine Ukrainian regions. In response to the ceasefire discussions, Putin contended that the initiative would disproportionately benefit Ukraine, as Russian forces continue to gain ground on several fronts. Analysts argue that territorial control remains a critical bargaining chip in future negotiations.
Zelensky Calls for Increased Pressure on Russia
In related news, President Zelensky reported a conversation with Canada’s new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, emphasizing the necessity of escalating pressure on Moscow. Zelensky stated that comprehensive sanctions targeting all financial channels funding Russia’s war are essential for compelling President Putin toward a just and lasting peace.
Carney is expected to travel to France for discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron regarding strategies surrounding the war in Ukraine, before making his way to London to meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. With Canada presiding over the G7 nations this year, these discussions underscore the global alliance’s ongoing commitment to supporting Ukraine.
Leadership Changes in Ukrainian Military
In a significant development, President Zelensky announced the appointment of Andriy Gnatov as the new chief of the general staff for Ukraine’s armed forces. This leadership change is aimed at boosting the efficiency and effectiveness of the military amid the ongoing conflict.
The decision to appoint Gnatov aligns with Ukraine’s push to enhance operational capacity in light of recent escalations. As the situation evolves, the Ukrainian leadership continues to adapt proactively to the challenges posed by the conflict.
