President Donald Trump has confirmed that a team from the United States is en route to Moscow to engage in crucial discussions regarding a potential ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The announcement comes on the heels of recent developments, including a 30-day ceasefire agreement reached by Ukrainian officials following high-stakes negotiations with American leaders in Saudi Arabia.
During a press conference alongside Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheál Martin in the Oval Office, Trump shared that he has received “positive messages” indicating a possible shift towards peace. However, he emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “But a positive message means nothing. This is a very serious situation.”
Trump’s remarks are significant in light of the Kremlin’s commitment to evaluate the ceasefire proposal. Russian government spokesperson Dmitry Peskov mentioned that the proposed plan is being studied, and more details are expected to unfold through various communication channels in the coming days. Moreover, the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, urged that the responsibility now lies with Russia, indicating that the path to peace hinges on their cooperation.
In relation to the talks in Moscow, Trump noted that National Security Secretary Mike Waltz has already initiated discussions with his Russian counterpart. The White House subsequently confirmed that Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will also participate in the negotiations stemming from the discussions in Jeddah.
Trump remains hopeful that a ceasefire will be advantageous for Russia, citing potential negative consequences should the negotiations fail. He mentioned, “I can do things financially. That would be very bad for Russia,” although he expressed a desire to avoid taking such measures in favor of achieving peace.
This recent development marks a critical moment in US-Ukrainian relations; the previous meeting in February between Zelensky, Trump, and Vice President JD Vance had deteriorated into confrontation, resulting in a pause of US military aid and intelligence support. The situation has since shifted, with Trump asserting that both the “difficult” Ukrainian side and President Zelensky are now much more inclined towards a resolution.
Despite ongoing negotiations, the conflict continues to escalate. Reports indicate that Russian forces have launched drone and missile attacks on several Ukrainian cities, including Kryvyy Rih, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kharkiv, underscoring the urgency for effective diplomacy to halt further hostilities.