US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to hold a highly anticipated phone call on Tuesday, as efforts to secure a ceasefire in Ukraine gather momentum.
The call comes after Trump announced that “many elements” of a peace agreement had been agreed upon with Putin.
The phone call is seen as a critical step in the negotiations, which have been ongoing for several weeks. Trump has
expressed optimism about the prospects of securing a peace deal, stating that “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.”
However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed skepticism about Putin’s commitment to a
ceasefire, accusing him of prolonging the war. Zelensky emphasized that “every day in wartime means human lives”
and urged Putin to take concrete steps towards a peace agreement.
Despite these concerns, the US and Russia appear to be making progress in their negotiations. US Secretary of State
Marco Rubio met with Ukrainian officials in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, last week, where they discussed the framework for
a potential peace agreement.
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The proposed ceasefire plan, which was discussed by Ukrainian and American delegates in Saudi Arabia, includes a
30-day ceasefire and the establishment of a monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance. France and Canada have
expressed their support for the plan, with French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark
Carney emphasizing the need for “clear commitments” from Russia.
However, Russia has set out several conditions for a ceasefire, including the recognition of its control over the
Western Kursk region, which Ukraine disputes. Putin has also raised concerns about the monitoring and policing of
the ceasefire, and has stated that he will not accept NATO troops on Ukrainian territory.
Despite these challenges, Trump remains optimistic about the prospects of securing a peace deal. He has stated that “we’re making tremendous progress” and that “I think we’ll be able to do it.”
