Trump, Putin to Discuss Ceasefire Deal, But Zelenskyy Remains Skeptical/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump will speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to push for a ceasefire deal in Ukraine, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains skeptical of Russia’s intentions. Trump’s negotiations include discussions on dividing land and control of power plants, including the Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility. The White House claims peace is near, yet critics worry that Trump is conceding too much to Putin while pressuring Ukraine. This follows Trump’s tense meeting with Zelenskyy, after which the U.S. temporarily cut military aid before reinstating it under a 30-day ceasefire agreement.
Trump-Putin Ukraine Talks: Quick Looks
- Trump-Putin Call Scheduled: The two leaders will speak between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. ET on Tuesday.
- Ceasefire Talks: Trump is pushing for a peace deal but suggests negotiations will include dividing land and power plants.
- Zelenskyy’s Skepticism: The Ukrainian president does not trust Putin’s commitment to peace.
- U.S. Cut Military Aid to Ukraine: Following Trump’s tense meeting with Zelenskyy, aid was briefly halted but later restored under a 30-day ceasefire plan.
- Russia’s Strategic Position: Ukraine has lost ground in recent months, and Trump says Ukrainian forces are surrounded in the Kursk region—a claim Zelenskyy disputes.
- Criticism of Trump’s Strategy: Experts warn the U.S. may be offering too many concessions to Putin, undermining Ukraine’s leverage.
Trump and Putin Discuss Ceasefire in Ukraine: Can Russia Be Trusted?
Trump-Putin Call to Address Ceasefire Proposal
President Donald Trump will speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, seeking to finalize a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine. The call, scheduled between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. ET, follows weeks of behind-the-scenes diplomacy led by Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Trump insists the deal is close, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains deeply skeptical that Putin is serious about ending the war.
“It’s clear to everyone in the world — even to those who refused to acknowledge the truth for the past three years — that it is Putin who continues to drag out this war,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly address on Monday.
Dividing Ukraine? Trump Hints at Land Concessions
Trump has hinted that land and infrastructure, including power plants, are part of the negotiation.
- One key issue is the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest, which Russia seized early in the war.
- Trump’s team, including Witkoff and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, has suggested that Ukraine’s energy sector may be part of the deal.
Leavitt described the peace process as being on the “10th yard line,” suggesting an agreement is imminent.
Zelenskyy and U.S. Allies Concerned Over Trump’s Approach
Many in Ukraine and Washington fear Trump is conceding too much to Russia.
- Trump briefly cut off military intelligence-sharing and aid to Ukraine after his February 28 meeting with Zelenskyy, only restoring support after Ukraine signed on to a 30-day ceasefire proposal.
- Bradley Bowman, a national security expert, warns the administration may be weakening its own negotiating position.
- Zelenskyy’s government is wary, believing Putin is using negotiations as a stalling tactic.
Russia’s Advantage: Is Ukraine Losing Its Bargaining Power?
Russia continues to press its military advantage, with Trump claiming that Ukrainian troops are “surrounded” in the Kursk region.
- Russian forces have pushed back Ukrainian advances over the past few months.
- Ukraine’s August 2024 offensive briefly reclaimed 500 square miles, but that progress has since stalled.
- Trump claims his actions prevented a full Russian takeover of the region, saying, “They’re surrounded by Russian soldiers, and I believe if it wasn’t for me they wouldn’t be here any longer.”
Zelenskyy disputes claims of a Russian stranglehold but acknowledges Ukraine is losing ground.
The Broader Geopolitical Implications
Beyond Ukraine, the Trump-Putin discussion is expected to touch on normalizing U.S.-Russia relations.
- Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that a “large number of questions” beyond Ukraine would be discussed.
- Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to repair U.S.-Russia relations, despite opposition from NATO allies who want Putin held accountable for the invasion.
What’s Next?
- Will Trump formally agree to land concessions for peace?
- Will Ukraine and its allies accept a ceasefire on Russia’s terms?
- Can Putin be trusted to honor any deal?
With Russia holding the military advantage and Trump eager for a deal, the outcome of these talks could reshape Ukraine’s future—and America’s global standing.
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