Silke Mayr Former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to discuss a potential Ukraine ceasefire during a phone call scheduled for Tuesday. Trump announced on Truth Social that “many elements” of a peace deal are already in place with Russia, but emphasized that further efforts are needed to reach an agreement. With reports of 2,500 soldiers dying each week on both sides, Trump stated, “This must end NOW.”
Ongoing Conflict and Efforts for Ceasefire:
Speaking to reporters, Trump expressed optimism about brokering a ceasefire and achieving a peace agreement, stating, “We’ll try to work out a ceasefire and peace agreement. I think we can do it.” However, conflicting statements from Trump’s administration have cast doubt on the likelihood of successful negotiations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Putin of intentionally prolonging the war, arguing that the proposed ceasefire “could have been implemented long ago.” Zelensky emphasized that “every day of war costs human lives.”
International Pressure for Peace:
Western leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, have urged Putin to demonstrate a genuine commitment to peace. Macron praised Zelensky’s willingness to accept a ceasefire proposal, stating, “Enough deaths. Enough destruction. The guns must fall silent.” Lammy demanded a “full and unconditional ceasefire” from Russia, warning that the UK and its allies have “more leverage” to pressure Russia into serious negotiations.
White House and Kremlin Preparations:
The White House remains cautiously optimistic about the upcoming talks between Trump and Putin. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Trump’s determination to secure a peace agreement, noting that discussions would include issues related to a power plant located on the Russia-Ukraine border, likely referring to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest, which Russian forces have occupied since March 2022.
Addressing Critical Issues:
When asked about possible concessions, Trump mentioned, “We’ll discuss land, power plants… We’re already negotiating asset divisions.” However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to reveal specific discussion topics, stating, “We never do that.”
Putin has expressed conditional support for a ceasefire but has raised concerns about enforcement and has rejected NATO involvement along the frontline. The status of the Western Kursk region, recently recaptured by Russia after a brief Ukrainian takeover last August, remains a key issue.
Efforts to Reach an Agreement:
Negotiations for a 30-day ceasefire were recently held in Saudi Arabia between Ukrainian and American delegates. Ukraine has expressed its willingness to accept the proposal, but Western leaders, including Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, demand clear commitments from Russia before agreeing to any peace deal.