White House Confirms Trump-Putin Call on U.S.-Backed Ukraine Ceasefire/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in a high-stakes call aimed at securing a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine. The U.S.-backed proposal, which Ukraine has agreed to, offers a potential framework for ending the war. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains skeptical that Putin is serious about peace. The White House expressed optimism, while critics warn of potential concessions to Russia.
Trump and Putin Hold Call on Ukraine Ceasefire: Quick Looks
- Ceasefire Talks: Trump and Putin are discussing a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
- Zelenskyy’s Skepticism: Ukraine has agreed to the proposal, but Zelenskyy doubts Putin’s intentions as Russia continues attacks.
- Trump’s Optimism: The White House is confident a deal is within reach, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt saying, “We’ve never been closer to peace.”
- Dividing ‘Assets’: Trump suggested talks include the fate of occupied land and key power plants, such as Zaporizhzhia, Europe’s largest nuclear facility.
- Concessions Concern: Critics warn Trump’s approach may favor Russia, with preemptive U.S. concessions weakening Ukraine’s negotiating power.
- Geopolitical Implications: The U.S. and Russia also discussed broader relations, hinting at potential diplomatic shifts beyond Ukraine.
Trump and Putin Discuss Ukraine Ceasefire as U.S. Pushes Peace Deal
Trump-Putin Call Focuses on War Resolution
President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a highly anticipated phone call Tuesday to discuss a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The White House confirmed the call began at 10 a.m. Eastern Time and was “going well and still in progress”, according to White House spokesman Dan Scavino.
Before the call, Trump expressed optimism about securing a deal:
“Many elements of a Final Agreement have been agreed to, but much remains,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“Thousands of young soldiers, and others, are being killed. 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.”
What’s in the Ceasefire Proposal?
According to State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, the U.S. proposal includes:
- An immediate 30-day ceasefire
- A guaranteed resumption of U.S. military aid and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine
- Potential negotiations on land and infrastructure control, including key power plants
Ukraine has already agreed to the deal, leaving Russia’s response as the next key step.
“Ukraine expressed readiness to accept the U.S. proposal to enact an immediate interim 30-day ceasefire,” Bruce said. “The ball is now in Russia’s court.“
Zelenskyy Doubts Putin’s Intentions
While Ukraine accepted the U.S. peace plan, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains deeply skeptical that Putin is negotiating in good faith.
In a video address Monday night, Zelenskyy warned:
“It’s clear to everyone in the world — even those who refused to acknowledge the truth for the past three years — that Putin continues to drag out this war.”
Zelenskyy’s doubts stem from Russia’s continued bombardments, despite the ongoing ceasefire discussions.
Concerns Over Trump’s Approach
Critics argue Trump’s negotiation strategy is tilting too far in Russia’s favor.
“The U.S. has been consistently offering preemptive concessions, weakening the American and Ukrainian negotiating position,” said Bradley Bowman, senior director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
“There’s a real danger that the administration’s approach is boiling down to sticks for Ukraine and carrots for Putin.“
One of the biggest concerns is Trump’s discussion of ‘dividing up certain assets,’ including:
- Occupied Ukrainian land
- Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant – Europe’s largest nuclear facility, seized by Russia in 2022
U.S.-Russia Relations at a Crossroads
Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged Tuesday that the two leaders were discussing the war, but also hinted at a broader U.S.-Russia reset.
“There are a large number of questions regarding normalizing U.S.-Russia relations,” Peskov said.
Trump has long advocated for a better relationship with Russia, despite intense criticism from Western allies who believe Putin should face severe consequences for the invasion of Ukraine.
During a recent tense meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump complained that Putin had ‘been through hell’ under past U.S. administrations.
What’s Next?
As of Tuesday morning, the Trump-Putin call was ongoing, with further updates expected throughout the day.
“We’re on the 10-yard line of peace,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
“We’ve never been closer to a deal.”
However, the outcome remains uncertain, as Putin may hold out for further U.S. concessions or continue military operations despite ceasefire agreements.
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