U.S. President Trump had a “very good” call with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to discuss a preliminary agreement with Putin, who has agreed to cease attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure for 30 days. The situation remains precarious as the ceasefire does not account for frontlines or civilians. Significant prisoner exchanges are also underway, with ongoing calls for a robust collective international response to Russian actions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and former President Donald Trump engaged in a constructive phone call on Wednesday, focusing on a preliminary agreement reached with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump shared on his Truth Social platform, stating, “Just completed a very good telephone call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine,” emphasizing the alignment of both Ukraine and Russia’s interests following discussions with Putin.
During the discussions, they addressed a recent agreement in which Putin consented to halt airstrikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure for a month. However, this ceasefire does not extend to the frontline or civilian areas, which had initially been anticipated by the Trump administration. Despite doubts from Ukrainian and European leaders, envoy Steve Witkoff expressed optimism about achieving a fuller ceasefire within a few weeks.
Further details emerged surrounding a potential meeting between Trump and Putin, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz prepare to return to Saudi Arabia to iron out the terms from Tuesday’s agreement. It remains uncertain whether a Ukrainian delegation will likewise be sent to engage with Russian officials.
The agreement included a commitment from Putin to exchange 175 prisoners and repatriate 23 severely injured Ukrainian soldiers as a gesture of goodwill. Shortly before his call with Trump, Zelenskyy announced a significant prisoner swap on X, confirming the return of Ukrainian soldiers. Although Zelenskyy expressed gratitude toward partners such as the United Arab Emirates, he did not mention U.S. involvement in the negotiations.
International frustrations arose as it became evident that the terms Ukraine previously offered had not been accepted by Putin during Trump’s discussions. Trump commented to Fox News that further persuading Putin towards a ceasefire would be challenging, noting that Moscow holds a tactical advantage. After the call, Zelenskyy remarked that Putin had effectively rebuffed proposals for a complete ceasefire, urging, “It would be right for the world to respond by rejecting any attempts by Putin to prolong the war,” and calling for sanctions, military assistance, and strengthened alliances.
The recent discourse between President Zelenskyy and former President Trump highlights an essential dialogue surrounding the ceasefire negotiations with Russia. Despite a temporary halt in attacks on energy infrastructure, the situation remains complex, with ongoing military tensions and skepticism regarding Putin’s commitments. Continued international efforts and a unified response are necessary to advocate for peace in the region, as underscored by Zelenskyy’s calls for global action against Russian aggression.
Original Source: www.foxnews.com
