Trump, Putin May Discuss Ukraine Ceasefire This Week as US Pushes for Deal
US officials are hopeful that a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war could be finalized soon, with President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin likely to hold talks this week. The proposal, accepted by Kyiv after US-led discussions in Saudi Arabia, awaits Moscow’s response amidst ongoing battlefield tensions.
On Sunday, Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff expressed confidence in a potential deal, stating, “The two presidents are going to have a really good and positive discussion this week.” He added that Trump expects an agreement “in the coming weeks.” The US proposed a halt in fighting following talks with Ukraine in Jeddah last week, which Kyiv endorsed.
Putin has not fully committed, instead listing concerns and conditions for the ceasefire. He claimed it would mainly benefit Ukraine, noting, “Russian forces are advancing in many areas,” and called for a direct discussion with Trump. Moscow views the proposal skeptically, citing its battlefield momentum in Kursk and eastern Ukraine.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently spoke with Russia’s Sergei Lavrov about “concrete aspects” of prior US-Russia talks in Riyadh. “They agreed to remain in contact,” Russia’s foreign ministry said, without addressing the ceasefire directly. State Department’s Tammy Bruce confirmed the call focused on “next steps” for US-Russia communication.
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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, hosting a virtual summit, criticized Putin’s hesitance, saying, “The ‘yes, but’ from Russia is not good enough.” He urged an end to Russia’s “barbaric attacks” on Ukraine. Kyiv reported 90 Iranian-made drones hitting nine regions on Sunday, underscoring the conflict’s intensity.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of delaying peace to strengthen its position. After talks with Canada’s PM Mark Carney, he said, “We must impose all-out sanctions on everything that funds Russia’s war.” Carney will discuss Ukraine with leaders in France and the UK this week, as Canada leads the G7.
On Sunday, Zelenskyy replaced Ukraine’s chief of general staff, Anatoliy Bargylevych, with Andriy Gnatov. The move aims to boost efficiency in the armed forces amid ongoing Russian advances.
With Trump and Putin’s potential talks looming, the ceasefire’s fate hinges on Russia’s response. Escalating diplomatic efforts and battlefield developments, including Kursk, will shape the path to a possible truce in the three-year war. Further updates are expected as negotiations progress this week.
