On Sunday, the U.S. president, Donald Trump, announced that discussions with Russia on a possible Ukraine ceasefire were progressing in a constructive direction. He also said plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin were set for Tuesday. The White House confirmed the details, and Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on the flight back to Washington from Florida that the talks had entered a constructive phase, noting that progress would depend on concrete steps from both sides.
Earlier, the president expressed confidence that Putin would endorse the agreement, saying in a pre-recorded Full Measure interview, “I think he will agree. I truly believe it. I know him well enough to think he will agree.”
Earlier still, Washington’s leader had voiced similar optimism that Moscow would back the deal. He indicated that the negotiations appeared to be moving toward a favorable outcome and stressed that Moscow would align with the terms under discussion.
If Putin declines the terms, Trump warned, that outcome would signal trouble for the world as more people could be harmed, underscoring the pause.
Trump recalled the existing ceasefire with Ukraine and noted Washington’s effort to secure a parallel understanding with Russia. “We will know a bit more on Monday, and hopefully it will be good”, the Republican leader added.
Looking back, Trump had claimed before taking office for a second term that the conflict would be ended within the first day in power. He later explained that the remark was somewhat sardonic, clarifying that his aim was to bring the fighting to a close and that he believed success would follow.
White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz told Fox News that Trump stood as the only president capable of delivering the agreement, based on the network’s coverage.
Waltz described the diplomatic path as a carrot-and-stick strategy designed to bring both sides to the negotiating table and steer them toward a lasting, durable settlement.
Earlier in the week, a U.S. delegation led by the Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, met Putin in Moscow to discuss a 30-day ceasefire proposal for Ukraine, a plan that had been agreed this week in talks hosted in Saudi Arabia by Washington and Kyiv.
Putin reiterated support for the truce while cautioning about challenges in implementing and verifying it, and he said a phone call with the American president would be desirable. Trump did not confirm whether such a conversation had taken place, but he emphasized that discussions continued and that progress was being made.