‘Never Been Closer to Peace’ US Pushes for Lasting Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire
The White House on Wednesday emphasized a shift towards securing a lasting ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, with officials stating that peace negotiations are at their closest point yet following a partial truce on energy and infrastructure targets.
The United States has moved beyond its earlier framework of a US-Ukraine minerals deal and is now prioritizing a long-term peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt announced this development during a media briefing on March 19, 2025.
Following a 90-minute call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, both leaders agreed to an immediate ceasefire targeting energy and infrastructure in Ukraine. The White House described this as a stepping stone to broader peace talks.
“We are now focused on a long-term peace agreement,” Leavitt told reporters. “We’ve moved beyond just the economic minerals deal framework, and we’re looking at a lasting ceasefire. We have never been closer to peace than we are today.”
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Leavitt referenced a prior Oval Office meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, noting that earlier discussions lacked focus on a comprehensive peace deal. “We are now at that place where we are talking about that,” she added.
The US is sending a high-level team to Saudi Arabia later this week to advance peace negotiations. Leavitt described the team as “highly skilled, intelligent, and experienced,” underscoring the administration’s commitment to resolving the conflict.
During their call, Trump and Putin discussed “many elements” of a potential peace contract. Trump later stated that both sides are working towards a complete ceasefire, signaling a possible breakthrough after years of conflict.
With a partial ceasefire in effect and upcoming talks in Saudi Arabia, the international community awaits further developments. The White House remains hopeful that these efforts will pave the way for a lasting resolution to the Russia-Ukraine war.
