Trump, Putin to Discuss Ukraine Peace Deal on Tuesday
With Ukraine backing a U.S.-led ceasefire proposal, Trump prepares to press Putin for a deal—while Russia sets tough demands on land, NATO, and power.
US President Donald Trump announced plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.
This follows promising talks between US and Russian officials in Moscow.
“We want to see if we can bring that war to an end,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. “Maybe we can, maybe we can’t, but I think we have a very good chance.”
Trump is seeking Putin’s support for a 30-day ceasefire proposal that Ukraine recently accepted. However, intense aerial strikes continue, and Russia is gaining ground in the western Russian region of Kursk.
When asked about potential concessions in ceasefire negotiations, Trump hinted at key discussions: “We’ll be talking about land. We’ll be talking about power plants…We’re already talking about that, dividing up certain assets.” He did not specify details but likely referred to the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.
The Kremlin confirmed Putin would take Trump’s call but remained tight-lipped on discussions about land and energy assets.
US Officials Cautious Amid Ongoing Attacks
US envoy Steve Witkoff delivered Putin a message from Trump regarding the ceasefire, with Moscow expressing “cautious optimism.” However, key US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, warned that significant hurdles remain before an agreement is reached.
Asked on ABC whether the US would back a deal allowing Russia to retain occupied Ukrainian territory, Waltz replied, “Are we going to drive every Russian off every inch of Ukrainian soil?” He stressed the importance of negotiating within “reality.”
Meanwhile, hostilities persist. A Ukrainian drone attack targeted energy facilities in Russia’s Astrakhan region, injuring one person, while Russia launched fresh drone strikes on Kyiv.
Putin’s ‘Ironclad’ Demands
While Ukraine accepted the US ceasefire proposal, President Volodymyr Zelensky remains firm that Ukrainian sovereignty is non-negotiable. Russia, however, insists on “ironclad” security guarantees, including Ukraine’s permanent exclusion from NATO.
Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko emphasized that any peace deal must secure Russia’s long-term interests: “We will demand that ironclad security guarantees become part of this agreement,” he told Russian media.
Putin maintains that NATO expansion justifies his military actions and is demanding Ukraine renounce NATO ambitions, recognize Russian control over occupied territories, and reduce its military size. He also seeks relief from Western sanctions and early Ukrainian elections.
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, dismissed Russia’s demands, arguing they prove Moscow is not truly seeking peace.
Peacekeeping Prospects & International Response
Trump’s push for diplomacy has intensified scrutiny of his stance on Russia. Last month, he clashed with Zelensky in Washington, causing the Ukrainian leader to leave their meeting early. Now, with Ukraine’s acceptance of the ceasefire, the pressure is on Russia to respond.
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the UK and France are considering sending peacekeepers to monitor a potential ceasefire. However, Russia has rejected peacekeeping forces until the war is fully resolved.
