KEY POINTS
- Putin and Trump will discuss the Ukraine ceasefire proposal on Tuesday
- The US and Ukraine have proposed a 30-day ceasefire
- Ukraine has accepted the ceasefire proposal, pending Russia’s approval
- Putin supports the ceasefire but has raised concerns about its implementation
- Trump’s special envoy visited Moscow last week to present the ceasefire plan
- Zelenskyy remains wary of Russia’s intentions
- European allies and NATO officials warn against any deal that could legitimise Russian territorial gains
MOSCOW/WASHINGTON: Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump are scheduled to speak by phone on Tuesday to discuss efforts to end the war in Ukraine, Kremlin officials and the US administration confirmed on Monday.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that “preparations are indeed underway for a conversation” between the two leaders but declined to disclose specific details.
“We never get ahead of things. The contents of conversations between the two presidents should not be discussed beforehand,” Peskov was quoted as saying by Russian news agency TASS.
Trump had earlier informed reporters aboard Air Force One that he planned to discuss the Ukraine war with Putin, stating that “a lot of work” had been done over the weekend.
“We want to see if we can bring that war to an end. Maybe we can, maybe we can’t, but I think we have a very good chance,” Trump said, as quoted by AFP.
Push for Ukraine ceasefire
The planned conversation follows diplomatic efforts by Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who travelled to Moscow last week to present a joint US-Ukrainian ceasefire proposal.
The plan reportedly calls for a 30-day pause in the war, which Ukraine has agreed to, contingent on Russian approval.
Putin has signalled support for a ceasefire but has raised “serious questions” about its implementation, Russian state media reported.
The Russian president is expected to discuss these concerns with Trump during their call.
“We will be talking about land. We will be talking about power plants,” Trump told reporters, hinting at negotiations over territorial control and energy infrastructure as part of a broader settlement.
“It’s a lot different than it was before the wars, you know. We are already talking about that, dividing up certain assets,” he added.
Diplomatic tensions and global reactions
The conversation between Trump and Putin comes amid heightened diplomatic activity surrounding the Ukraine conflict.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reportedly held discussions over the weekend on “the next steps” in the ceasefire proposal.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed scepticism over Russia’s intentions, accusing Moscow of prolonging the war.
“Russia stole almost another week — a week of war that only Russia wants,” Zelenskyy said in a televised address.
He reiterated Ukraine’s position that any resolution must include the full restoration of its territorial integrity, including areas currently occupied by Russian forces.
Russia controls significant portions of eastern Ukraine, while Kyiv has pushed back in some areas, including the Kursk region, which Ukraine briefly recaptured last year.
US tariffs and strategic interests
Trump’s engagement with Putin also coincides with his administration’s plans to introduce new tariffs on foreign imports, which he has defended despite concerns about market disruptions.
“April 2 is a liberating day for our country,” Trump declared, emphasising the tariffs’ role in reclaiming “wealth that very, very foolish presidents gave away.”
European allies have reacted with caution to Trump’s direct engagement with Putin, given his history of warm rhetoric towards the Russian leader and his critical stance on Ukrainian leadership.
NATO officials have urged the US to maintain strong support for Ukraine, warning against any agreement that could legitimise Russian territorial gains.
Putin and Trump last spoke by phone on 12 February, with discussions lasting nearly 90 minutes, according to the Kremlin.
The two leaders have agreed to maintain direct contact, with further in-person meetings under consideration.
