US President Donald Trump will speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to discuss a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, following diplomatic engagements 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 pushing for a 30-day ceasefire, which Ukraine has already accepted, even as both sides continue exchanging airstrikes. Russian forces are advancing on Ukrainian positions in Kursk, further complicating negotiations.
Talks Over Land and Power Plants
When asked about possible concessions, Trump said discussions would include territory and power plants. While he did not elaborate, his remarks likely referred to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility, which remains a point of contention between Russia and Ukraine.
The Kremlin confirmed the upcoming call but declined to comment on Trump’s remarks regarding land and energy infrastructure. Moscow had previously expressed “cautious optimism” about the ceasefire proposal via a message delivered by US envoy Steve Witkoff.
Challenges to Peace Talks
Senior US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, cautioned that negotiations remained complex. Waltz emphasized that talks must be “grounded in reality,” while Rubio acknowledged that any final deal would require concessions from both Russia and Ukraine.
Meanwhile, overnight Ukrainian drone strikes targeted energy sites in Russia’s Astrakhan region, while Moscow launched new attacks on Kyiv.
Russian Demands and Western Responses
Russia insists that any peace deal must include “ironclad” guarantees preventing Ukraine from joining NATO and ensuring its neutrality. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko reiterated this stance, arguing that security assurances must be a key part of any agreement.
Western leaders remain skeptical. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas dismissed Russia’s conditions, saying they demonstrate Moscow is not serious about peace.
Peacekeeping Debate
While Britain and France have indicated a willingness to send peacekeepers, Russia has rejected such proposals, warning that their deployment would make them “parties to the conflict.” Instead, Moscow has suggested civilian observers as a possible alternative.
Trump’s call with Putin is expected to be a major test of his diplomatic strategy and his ability to secure a temporary halt to the three-year war.
