Trump and Putin to Discuss Ukraine Peace Deal Amid Conflicting Signals
US President Donald Trump has announced that “many elements” of a peace agreement in Ukraine have been agreed upon with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, ahead of their highly anticipated phone call.
Trump posted on Truth Social that he will speak with Putin on Tuesday morning, emphasizing that while progress has been made, “much remains” to be worked out.
“Each week brings 2,500 soldier deaths from both sides, and it must end NOW. I look very much forward to the call with President Putin,” Trump wrote.
Conflicting Signals on Ceasefire Talks
Speaking to reporters earlier, Trump expressed optimism about brokering a ceasefire.
“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,” he said.
However, there have been inconsistencies within the Trump administration regarding the status of the ceasefire negotiations.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, following a meeting in Jeddah with Ukrainian officials, stated that discussions had focused on “what a negotiation process would look like” rather than specific terms of an agreement.
Similarly, US envoy Steve Witkoff, who met with Putin in Moscow on Thursday, took a more measured approach, indicating that negotiations were still in an early phase.
Ukraine and Western Allies Urge Russia to Commit
In his nightly address on Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Putin of deliberately prolonging the war.
“This proposal could have been implemented long ago,” he said. “Every day in wartime means human lives.”
Meanwhile, European leaders have urged Russia to prove its commitment to a peace deal.
French President Emmanuel Macron praised Zelensky’s willingness to agree to a ceasefire proposal and challenged Putin to do the same.
“Enough deaths. Enough lives destroyed. Enough destruction. The guns must fall silent,” Macron declared in a post on X.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy echoed the sentiment, calling for a “full and unconditional ceasefire now.” Addressing MPs, he stated there was “no sign” that Putin was serious about peace and warned that the UK and its allies had “more cards to play” to pressure Russia into meaningful negotiations.
White House Expresses Optimism
Despite skepticism from some Western officials, the White House has struck an optimistic tone, suggesting that peace in Ukraine is “closer than ever.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Monday that Trump was “determined” to secure a peace deal.
Regarding the potential topics of discussion, Leavitt mentioned that a key issue on the table is a power plant located near the Russia-Ukraine border, likely referring to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The facility, occupied by Russian forces since March 2022, has been a source of concern due to ongoing conflict in the area.
Asked on Sunday about potential concessions in the ceasefire talks, Trump said:
“We’ll be talking about land. We’ll be talking about power plants […] We’re already talking about that, dividing up certain assets.”
Kremlin Remains Tight-Lipped
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov refused to disclose what Putin and Trump would discuss, stating, “We never do that.”
Although Putin has previously expressed support for a ceasefire, he has also outlined specific conditions for peace. One point of contention is Russia’s Western Kursk region, where Ukraine launched an incursion last August. Russia has recently pushed to reclaim the territory, and Putin now claims full control over Kursk.
Additionally, Putin has raised concerns about how a ceasefire would be enforced along the eastern frontline, making it clear that he will not accept NATO troops on the ground.
Peace Proposal Under Consideration
Last week, Ukrainian and American delegates met in Saudi Arabia to discuss a potential peace deal. After lengthy discussions, they proposed a 30-day ceasefire, which Ukraine has indicated it is willing to accept.
As Trump prepares for his call with Putin, world leaders continue to monitor the situation. French President Macron and newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney reaffirmed their “unwavering” support for Ukraine and called on Russia to make “clear commitments” to end the war.
The outcome of the Trump-Putin talks could mark a turning point in the ongoing conflict—or highlight the deep divisions that remain.