In a significant development regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to hold a crucial call this week. This discussion comes amidst ongoing diplomatic efforts to negotiate a 30-day ceasefire as proposed in recent talks. US envoy Steve Witkoff, who met with Putin in Moscow, shared insights on the anticipated conversation and the progress of negotiations aimed at ending the three-year conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Witkoff stated that the two leaders are expected to have a “really good and positive discussion this week,” reflecting optimism about the ongoing negotiations. Last week, a framework for a ceasefire was presented by the US and Ukraine, which Putin has conditionally supported while outlining strict terms he demands for peace.
During his interview, Witkoff highlighted that he is also engaging with Ukrainian officials to ensure they are informed and involved throughout this process. He expressed confidence that a deal could be finalized in the coming weeks, stating, “I am really hopeful we are going to see some progress here.”
This call marks a return to an active diplomatic exchange between Trump and Putin, echoing their discussions from Trump’s campaign period when he promised to end the conflict on his first day in office. Notably, just weeks after his inauguration, Trump had a lengthy conversation with Putin that focused on initiating negotiations to halt the war.
While the exact details of territorial disputes, particularly regarding Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine—which currently accounts for approximately 20% of the country—remain contentious, Witkoff emphasized Trump’s continuous engagement and real-time updates from diplomatic fronts. Within minutes after his Moscow meeting, Witkoff debriefed Trump, Vice-President JD Vance, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, demonstrating the administration’s commitment to resolving the crisis.
As these discussions progress, the world watches closely to see if the upcoming Trump-Putin call will pave the way towards a sustainable peace agreement in Ukraine, which has seen devastating consequences due to ongoing military actions.