A Crucial Call: Trump and Putin Discuss Ukraine Cease-Fire
President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to speak on Tuesday, as the United States intensifies its efforts to secure a cease-fire in Ukraine. The call comes after Ukraine agreed to support a U.S.-backed, month-long pause in fighting, provided Russia also consents. Mr. Trump has expressed his eagerness to broker a truce as quickly as possible, while Mr. Putin appears to be holding out for additional concessions. On Monday, Mr. Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to state that while many elements of a final agreement had been agreed upon, significant work remained. “The war must end NOW,” he wrote, adding that he looked forward to his conversation with Mr. Putin.
The Ceasefire Proposal on the Table
The groundwork for this potential truce was laid during a meeting in Saudi Arabia a week ago. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Michael Waltz met with a Ukrainian delegation, including Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. After more than eight hours of discussions, the United States and Ukraine issued a joint statement. Kyiv agreed to support the Trump administration’s proposal for a 30-day cease-fire with Russia, contingent on Russia’s acceptance. In return, the U.S. pledged to resume military aid and intelligence sharing, which had been paused following a tense meeting at the White House. Additionally, the two sides agreed to expedite a deal for the development of Ukraine’s critical mineral resources.
Russia’s Stance: Conditions and Demands
Despite the progress, Mr. Putin has yet to agree to halting the war, which Russia initiated over three years ago. While he described the cease-fire idea as “the right one” and expressed support, he has set several conditions that could delay or derail any truce. These include demands that Ukraine cease mobilizing troops, training soldiers, or importing weapons during the pause in fighting. Furthermore, Mr. Putin has insisted that any peace deal must address the “original causes” of the war, implying that he will not relent until Ukraine agrees not to join NATO and until the alliance reduces its presence in Central and Eastern Europe.
In a recent news conference, Mr. Putin stated, “There are questions that we need to discuss, and I think that we need to talk them through with our American colleagues and partners.” His remarks came ahead of a meeting with Steve Witkoff, Mr. Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, who has also been involved in Ukraine-related peace talks. Mr. Witkoff later told CNN that his three-to-four-hour meeting with Mr. Putin had gone well, noting that the two sides had “narrowed the differences between them.” However, the cease-fire proposal could create tension between Mr. Putin’s desire for a decisive victory in Ukraine and his interest in maintaining close ties with Mr. Trump.
Conversation Topics: Territory, Power Plants, and “Dividing Up” Assets
While the Kremlin’s spokesman, Dmitri S. Peskov, declined to disclose the specific topics of the Trump-Putin call, Mr. Trump provided some insight on Sunday night. The former president mentioned plans to discuss territorial issues and the fate of Ukrainian power plants. He also referenced earlier discussions about “dividing up certain assets.” “We want to see if we can bring that war to an end,” Mr. Trump said. “Maybe we can. Maybe we can’t, but I think we have a very good chance.”
His comments about power plants appeared to allude to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in southern Ukraine, Europe’s largest nuclear facility, which Russia has controlled since early in the war. Mr. Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, also touched on the topic of a “nuclear reactor” in a CBS News interview. The Zaporizhzhia plant, located near the Dnipro River, has been a focal point of concern due to its proximity to the frontline and the risks of a potential radiological disaster. While it remains unclear whether discussions about the plant would focus on Russia relinquishing control or finding a way to manage it under a truce, the facility’s poor condition after years of war could present an opportunity for negotiation.
The State of the War: Battlefield Shifts and Diplomatic Tensions
President Zelensky has accused Mr. Putin of stalling to allow Russia’s army to gain ground on the battlefield, thereby strengthening his negotiating position. Recent Russian advances in the Kursk region of Russia, from which Ukrainian troops have largely been expelled, have deprived Kyiv of a key bargaining chip. Battlefield maps compiled by analysts show that Russian forces have crossed into Ukraine’s Sumy region, potentially signaling an effort to encircle Ukrainian troops or open a new front in the war. Mr. Zelensky has warned of a broader Russian offensive into Sumy, which is home to hundreds of thousands of people.
Despite these setbacks, Ukrainian forces have managed to halt a Russian offensive in the eastern Donetsk region and reclaim small areas of territory. However, analysts remain uncertain whether Russian brigades are exhausted or merely regrouping for another push. The evolving dynamics on the battlefield underscore the urgency of securing a cease-fire and the challenges of achieving a lasting peace.
Concessions and Guarantees: A Delicate Balance
Secretary Rubio has acknowledged that Ukraine may need to make territorial concessions as part of any agreement to end the war. However, he emphasized the importance of determining what Russia might be willing to offer in return. Prior to agreeing to the cease-fire proposal, Ukraine had insisted on security guarantees, though none have been explicitly promised to date.
Meanwhile, European allies have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have pledged to press Mr. Trump for U.S. security guarantees, a effort they are undertaking in tandem. Both nations have also committed troops to a potential peacekeeping force and are working to recruit other European countries to join. As the situation continues to unfold, the delicate balance of concessions, guarantees, and international cooperation will play a pivotal role in determining the path forward.
