Trump to Discuss Ukraine War With Putin on Tuesday

Monday 17 March 2025 - 08:38

By: Zahouani Ilham

Trump to Discuss Ukraine War With Putin on Tuesday

United States President Donald Trump has announced plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, aiming to find a resolution to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

During a conversation with reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump emphasized the extensive efforts made over the weekend to facilitate peace talks. "We want to see if we can bring this war to an end," he stated. "Maybe we can, maybe we can't, but I believe there is a strong possibility."

When questioned about potential compromises in the ceasefire negotiations, Trump confirmed that discussions would include territorial matters and energy facilities. "Both Ukraine and Russia have already deliberated on many aspects of this issue," he noted. "We are already addressing the division of certain assets."

His remarks coincided with a statement from Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko, who told Russian media outlet Izvestia that any peace agreement must exclude Ukraine from NATO membership. Grushko emphasized that Moscow would require firm security guarantees to consider a ceasefire. "Ensuring such guarantees is essential for lasting peace in Ukraine and regional stability," he asserted. "A neutral Ukraine, with NATO countries refraining from offering it membership, should be part of these conditions." However, he noted that no formal negotiations were currently taking place.

On Sunday, Steve Witkoff, Trump's special envoy, told CNN that the upcoming dialogue between the two leaders was expected to be “very constructive and positive.” Washington is pushing for both sides to agree to a 30-day ceasefire proposal that emerged from last week's negotiations in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has endorsed the plan, Putin has yet to fully commit, expressing skepticism despite stating that he supports it in principle. The Russian president previously suggested that the proposal would primarily benefit Kyiv, as Russian forces have been making territorial gains.

On Saturday, Zelenskyy accused Moscow of prolonging the conflict to strengthen its battlefield position before engaging in ceasefire talks. In recent weeks, Russian forces have successfully reclaimed most of Ukraine’s previously held areas in the Kursk region, where Kyiv had controlled approximately 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) during its incursion last August.