Trump and Putin Set for Key Ceasefire Discussion Amid Ongoing Ukraine Conflict
US President Donald Trump is preparing for a pivotal phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, with a focus on a much-anticipated ceasefire proposal concerning Ukraine. Speaking on Monday, Trump noted that while significant elements of a potential agreement have been tentatively established, substantial discussions remain. Trump confirmed via his Truth Social platform that he and Putin will engage in dialogue regarding a proposal for a 30-day interim pause in hostilities in the besieged region.
The Trump administration has expressed optimism regarding the possibility of garnering Russian support for a ceasefire agreement, which has already received the approval of Ukraine. In a statement to reporters, Trump expressed confidence in the potential for a peace agreement, stating, "We're going to see if we can work a peace agreement, a ceasefire, and peace. And I think we'll be able to do it."
Earlier on Monday, Trump disclosed that discussions between Washington and Moscow included critical topics such as land, power plants, and the division of certain assets between Russia and Ukraine. Notably, US special envoy Steve Witkoff and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt indicated that the fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant—a facility currently located in the crossfire since Moscow's invasion—had also been a point of discussion. Leavitt emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue in tomorrow's call with Putin.
In his nightly address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized Putin for intentionally prolonging the conflict, stating that the proposal for a ceasefire could have been implemented earlier. "Every day in wartime is a matter of human lives," Zelenskyy remarked. Meanwhile, Putin, while acknowledging the idea of a ceasefire, has raised concerns about unresolved issues, including the fate of Ukrainian soldiers in the Kursk region, and the need for mechanisms to monitor a potential ceasefire. He has also dismissed the proposal to deploy NATO peacekeeping troops to ensure enforcement.
The progress regarding the ceasefire discussions remains ambiguous. Witkoff's recent trip to Moscow for talks with Putin was met with guarded optimism, though he refrained from detailing specific aspects of the negotiations. "I am really hopeful we are going to see some progress here," he stated, highlighting the significance of the four regions under discussion.
International responses to the situation have been mixed. Leaders in the UK and France have urged Putin to consider a peace deal, with French President Emmanuel Macron commending Zelenskyy for his courage in accepting a ceasefire proposal. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed these sentiments, stating that it is crucial for Putin to engage seriously in negotiations if he is committed to achieving peace.
As the world watches these developments, the potential for a ceasefire continues to hang in the balance, with lives at stake and the shadow of war looming over Ukraine.
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