The President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced that he will hold a conversation this Tuesday with his Russian counterpart, Vladímir Putin, in what could become a turning point in the efforts to end the war and establish the distribution of invaded Ukrainian territories.
During his flight back from Florida to Washington on Air Force One, Trump revealed to journalists that, following intense negotiations over the weekend, the dialogue will seek to explore avenues to end the armed conflict and reorient U.S. foreign policy.
"We will see if we have something to announce on Tuesday. I will speak with President Putin. A lot of work has been done this weekend. We want to see if we can bring an end to that war," he stated in a video posted on the social media platform X.
Moreover, the president mentioned that topics related to the division of certain assets will be discussed, including territories and power plants, suggesting a division of invaded areas in Ukraine.
According to the agency AP, the Kremlin confirmed Putin's participation in the conversation, although his spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, refused to disclose details prior to the discussion, stating that "we never get ahead of events" and that "the content of conversations between two presidents is not subject to prior discussion."
The imminent dialogue raises concerns among European allies, who are cautious about Trump's affinity with Putin and his tough stance towards the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky.
With this negotiation, the United States seeks not only to find a way out of the war, but also to adjust its foreign policy in the midst of a conflict that continues to be a source of international tensions.
Trump and his request to Putin last week
Donald Trump asserted on Friday that he "earnestly" requested his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, to ensure the safety of Ukrainian soldiers surrounded by the Russian army in the Kursk region.
Trump stated that his conversations with Putin were "very good and productive" and that there is a "very good possibility" that the war could come to an end.
One day earlier, on Thursday, Putin confirmed his support for a 30-day truce, although he expressed concerns about its implementation and verification.
At that moment, the Russian leader indicated that he hoped to discuss the details with his American counterpart, Donald Trump, to whom he expressed gratitude for his "efforts" to achieve the ceasefire, cited EFE.
"We are in favor, but there are inconveniences," declared Putin at a press conference in the Kremlin alongside Belarusian President Alexandr Lukashenko.
Among the concerns raised, Putin questioned what will happen to the Ukrainian soldiers in the Russian region of Kursk and whether they will have to leave the territory without any confrontations. "Should we let them go after they have committed numerous crimes against the civilian population? Or will the Ukrainian leaders order them to lay down their arms and surrender? How will we do this? It is not clear," he stated.
The Russian leader also noted that his country's troops are advancing in various sectors of the front line and questioned how Ukraine will utilize the truce. "Will it serve to continue forced mobilization and the deployment of new weapons?" he asked.
Additionally, he raised doubts about who will ensure that the other party does not take advantage of the ceasefire to regroup. "How will control and verification be organized?" he insisted.
Putin emphasized the importance of discussing with the United States the implementation of the ceasefire, after Washington and Kyiv reached an agreement in the Saudi city of Jeddah.
"It may be that President Trump and I discuss it over the phone and talk about it together. But we support the very idea of ending the conflict through peaceful means," he stated.
Moreover, he expressed his gratitude to Trump for his diplomatic efforts in seeking a solution to the conflict. "I would like to start by expressing my gratitude to the President of the United States, Mr. Trump, for paying such close attention to the resolution of the Ukraine issue," he added.
The statement came after Ukraine accepted the proposal from the United States last Tuesday to establish a total and immediate ceasefire with Russia, initially lasting 30 days, with the possibility of extension if both parties agree.
The measure, which covers operations on land, sea, and air, depends on the response of the Russian president.
Frequently asked questions about the negotiations between Trump and Putin in the Ukrainian conflict
What are Trump and Putin seeking with the negotiations about Ukraine?
The negotiations aim to end the war in Ukraine through a distribution of invaded territories and assets, such as power plants. Both leaders are trying to establish a 30-day ceasefire and explore peaceful solutions to the conflict, although they face criticism and skepticism from Ukraine and Europe.
How does the negotiation between Trump and Putin affect Ukraine?
The negotiation between Trump and Putin generates uncertainty in Ukraine, as its president, Volodymyr Zelensky, rejects agreements without the participation of his government. The exclusion of Ukraine from the discussions has caused tensions and mistrust towards Trump's intentions, which has been criticized for his stance towards Zelensky.
What role does Europe play in the negotiations between Trump and Putin?
Europe is watching the negotiations between Trump and Putin with caution, concerned about the affinity between the two leaders and potential concessions that could impact Ukrainian sovereignty. European leaders have stressed that any peace must respect Ukraine's territorial integrity, and have expressed their readiness to support a lasting agreement.
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