Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he would speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday regarding a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, with discussions expected to include territorial concessions and the control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
Speaking to reporters in Washington on Monday, Trump expressed optimism about securing a peace agreement, emphasizing the need to end hostilities. "What's happening in Ukraine is not good, but we're going to see if we can work a peace agreement, a ceasefire and peace, and I think we'll be able to do it," he said.
Trump has been working on a 30-day ceasefire proposal that Ukraine accepted last week. Meanwhile, fighting has intensified, with Russia advancing against Ukrainian forces in the western Russian region of Kursk. Trump noted that Ukrainian troops in the area were "in deep trouble" as they faced encirclement by Russian forces.
The former president also suggested that his recent freeze on military aid to Ukraine and his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy played a role in persuading Kyiv toward negotiations. "A lot of people are being killed over there, and we had to get Ukraine to do the right thing," he stated. "But I think they're doing the right thing right now."
Zelenskiy, in his nightly address, accused Putin of prolonging the war, stating that the Russian leader has been aware of the ceasefire proposal for a week but has not acted. "This proposal could have been implemented long ago," he said, stressing the cost of delays in human lives.
When asked about potential concessions, Trump mentioned discussions on land and power plants but did not provide details. Reports suggest that the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, the largest in Europe and currently under Russian control, could be a key issue in the talks. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that discussions would include a power plant "on the border" of Russia and Ukraine, though Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on the matter.
The Kremlin recently conveyed Putin's "cautious optimism" regarding the ceasefire through U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. However, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz noted that significant challenges remain before an agreement can be finalized. Waltz questioned whether a deal allowing Russia to retain seized Ukrainian territory would align with U.S. interests, stating, "We have to ask ourselves, is it in our national interest? Is it realistic?"
Zelenskiy has not publicly responded to Waltz’s comments but has maintained that Ukraine’s sovereignty is non-negotiable. He has consistently demanded the full withdrawal of Russian forces from occupied territories, including Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.
Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko indicated that Moscow would insist on "ironclad" guarantees in any agreement, including Ukraine’s exclusion from NATO membership and limitations on its military forces. He also reiterated Russia’s stance that it must retain control over seized Ukrainian territory.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas dismissed Russia’s demands as proof that Moscow is not genuinely seeking peace. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer revealed that several nations, including the UK and France, are prepared to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine if a deal is reached. However, Russia has rejected the deployment of peacekeepers, warning of consequences for any foreign military presence in the conflict zone.
As discussions continue, the prospects for a lasting peace agreement remain uncertain, with both sides maintaining firm positions on key issues.