Former U.S. President Donald Trump says “many elements” of a Ukraine peace deal have been agreed upon with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of their highly anticipated phone call. Trump took to Truth Social, confirming the conversation would take place Tuesday morning, emphasizing the urgency of stopping the war.
“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 posted.
Conflicting Reports on Progress
While Trump is confident about brokering a peace deal, members of his administration seem less certain. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, fresh from a meeting with Ukrainian officials in Jeddah, described talks as “preliminary” rather than focused on specific terms. Similarly, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who met with Putin in Moscow, appeared to take a cautious approach.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Putin of stalling, stating, “This proposal could have been implemented long ago. Everyday in wartime means more lives lost.”
Global Pressure on Putin
Western leaders are skeptical of Putin’s intentions. French President Emmanuel Macron commended Zelensky for his willingness to negotiate but urged Russia to prove its commitment to peace. “Enough deaths. Enough destruction. The guns must fall silent,” Macron declared.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy echoed this sentiment, calling for a “full and unconditional ceasefire now” and warning that the UK and allies “have more cards to play” to pressure Russia into serious negotiations.
Key Issues on the Table
The Trump-Putin call is expected to cover several sensitive topics, including the status of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which has been under Russian control since March 2022. There are also discussions about territorial divisions and “certain assets,” as Trump hinted on Sunday.
However, Putin has attached conditions to any ceasefire, including Ukrainian withdrawal from occupied regions and a NATO-free zone in the east. One area of contention is Russia’s Kursk region, where Ukraine had previously launched an incursion. Putin claims full control has been restored but remains wary of NATO’s presence.
Ceasefire in Sight?
The proposed 30-day ceasefire hammered out in recent Saudi Arabia negotiations has been tentatively accepted by Ukraine. Now, the pressure is on Russia to do the same.
The White House remains optimistic, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating, “Peace in Ukraine has never been closer.” However, skeptics warn that without concrete commitments from Russia, a ceasefire could be nothing more than a temporary pause in a devastating war.
With Trump and Putin set to speak, the world is watching. Will this call be the turning point in ending the war, or just another diplomatic dead end? Time will tell.
