Trump says he will speak with Putin on Tuesday about ending war in Ukraine

President Donald Trump expressed his intention to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ending the war in Ukraine following positive talks between US and Russian officials in Moscow.

“We want to see if we can bring that war to an end,” Trump stated during a flight back to Washington from Florida. “Maybe we can, maybe we can’t, but I think we have a very good chance. I’ll be speaking to President Putin on Tuesday. A lot of work’s been done over the weekend.”

Trump is seeking Putin’s support for a 30-day ceasefire proposal that Ukraine accepted last week, amidst continued heavy aerial strikes between both sides. The situation has escalated as Russia moves closer to pushing Ukrainian forces out of their stronghold in the Kursk region.

The Kremlin has yet to respond to requests for comments on the matter. However, President Putin reportedly conveyed his cautious optimism about a potential deal through US envoy Steve Witkoff during talks in Moscow.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with Trump’s national security advisor Mike Waltz, emphasized the challenges that still need to be addressed before Russia agrees to a ceasefire and a final resolution to the conflict. Discussions are centered around the reality of the situation, including the possibility of Russia retaining control of parts of eastern Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remains hopeful about ending the war, especially after Ukraine accepted the US-proposed 30-day ceasefire. However, he has made it clear that Ukraine’s sovereignty is non-negotiable, insisting that Russia must return the seized territories.

Russia is demanding “ironclad” guarantees that Ukraine will remain neutral and not join NATO as part of any peace deal. Putin’s stance is driven by concerns over NATO’s expansion and its impact on Russia’s security.

Trump’s approach towards Russia has shifted, with Ukraine now seen as more challenging to work with than Russia. Despite previous tensions with Ukrainian President Zelensky, Ukraine’s acceptance of the ceasefire proposal now puts the pressure on Russia to comply with Trump’s demands.

European allies, including Britain and France, have expressed willingness to support Ukraine with peacekeeping forces if a ceasefire is reached. However, Russia has rejected the idea of peacekeepers until the war is resolved.

The situation remains complex, with various parties involved in negotiations and discussions. The path to peace in Ukraine will require careful consideration of all parties’ interests and concerns.