President Trump plans to speak with Russian President Putin regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine, expressing optimism about reaching an agreement. The call follows discussions that hinted at a potential ceasefire proposal. Trump’s envoy reported productive meetings with Russia, indicating progress in narrowing differences between the parties involved.
President Trump announced plans to converse with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, aiming to address the ongoing war in Ukraine. This conflict commenced three years ago following Russia’s extensive invasion. Mr. Trump expressed optimism, stating, “A lot of work’s been done over the weekend. We want to see if we can bring that war to an end.”
Confirming the scheduled discussion, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov provided minimal information. This call follows a recent meeting between U.S. and Ukrainian delegates in Saudi Arabia, which proposed a 30-day ceasefire. While Putin accepted the idea in principle, he emphasized the necessity for further discussions.
During last week’s press conference, President Putin remarked, “The idea itself is correct, and we certainly support it. But there are issues that we need to discuss.” This indicates a willingness to negotiate but no firm commitments yet.
Moreover, Trump’s envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, reported positive outcomes from his recent dialogues with Putin, asserting that significant progress was made in narrowing differences between Ukraine and Russia. He expressed confidence in the upcoming call, predicting a productive exchange between the two leaders.
Additionally, Mr. Trump mentioned that their conversation would cover specifics regarding logistical matters, such as land and power plants, crucial components in the negotiations. He indicated that discussions on asset allocation between Ukraine and Russia are already underway.
In light of the ongoing conflict, it is essential to note that following its 2022 invasion, Russia unlawfully annexed four regions of Ukraine: Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, the latter housing Europe’s largest nuclear facility. Russia had previously annexed Crimea in 2014, exacerbating tensions in the region.
In summary, President Trump’s scheduled call with President Putin seeks to seek resolution in Ukraine’s prolonged conflict. Despite an acceptance of a ceasefire proposal by Putin, the lack of commitment indicates complexities in negotiations. However, recent discussions by diplomatic representatives hint at hopeful advances in bridging gaps between the involved parties. The conversations will focus on key logistical elements crucial for peace negotiations.
Original Source: www.cbsnews.com