WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is scheduled to engage in discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, aiming to secure support for a U.S. ceasefire proposal intended to pave the way for an end to Russia’s devastating conflict in Ukraine.
The White House expresses optimism that peace may be achievable, despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy casting doubt on Putin’s willingness to go beyond mere platitudes while Russian military actions continue to devastate Ukraine.
This engagement represents yet another shift in the increasingly complex U.S.-Russia relations, with Trump prioritizing a swift resolution to the conflict, even at the risk of straining relationships with traditional American allies who advocate for holding Putin accountable for the invasion.
“The situation in Russia is dire, and Ukraine is facing a grave situation,” Trump told reporters on Monday. “What’s happening in Ukraine is troubling, but we’re going to explore the possibility of a peace agreement, a ceasefire. I believe we can achieve it.”
Ahead of the Trump-Putin call, White House special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Putin in Moscow last week to discuss the proposal. Secretary of State Marco Rubio successfully convinced senior Ukrainian officials during discussions in Saudi Arabia to endorse the ceasefire framework.
The U.S. president noted that discussions between Washington and Moscow have already begun regarding the “division of certain assets” between Ukraine and Russia as part of a potential agreement to conclude the conflict.
Trump, who pledged during his campaign to swiftly end the war, has at various times touted his rapport with Putin and pinned blame on Ukraine for Russia’s unprovoked assault, while criticizing Zelenskyy for allegedly prolonging Europe’s largest land conflict since World War II.
He indicated that discussions with Putin will include the exchange of land and power plants.
Witkoff and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt indicated that U.S. and Russian officials have looked into the future of the Zaporizhzhia power plant in southern Ukraine.
This power plant has found itself at the center of conflict since Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2022, seizing control shortly thereafter. The U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency has repeatedly expressed concern over the plant, Europe’s largest nuclear facility, raising alarms about a potential nuclear disaster.
The nuclear facility is a crucial asset, supplying nearly 25% of Ukraine’s electricity before the onset of war.
“I can confidently say we are on the 10th yard line of peace,” Leavitt remarked. “We have never been as close to reaching a peace agreement as we are right now. The president is determined to finalize it.”
However, Bradley Bowman, senior director at the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, expressed skepticism regarding Putin’s readiness to conclude the war, suggesting he may be looking for additional concessions as Trump’s impatience grows.
Following a challenging Feb. 28 meeting with Zelenskyy at the White House, Trump temporarily suspended some military intelligence-sharing and aid to Ukraine. This support was reinstated after Ukrainian officials consented to the Trump administration’s 30-day ceasefire proposal last week.
“The U.S. has consistently made preemptive concessions, which have weakened the negotiating position of both America and Ukraine,” Bowman commented. “There’s a genuine concern that the administration’s strategy is amounting to penalties for Ukraine and rewards for Putin.”
Zelenskyy, in his evening video address on Monday, reiterated his doubts about Putin’s commitment to peace.
“Now, nearly a week later, it’s evident to everyone globally — even to those who ignored the reality for the past three years — that it is Putin who continues to prolong this war,” Zelenskyy stated.
In his interactions with Zelenskyy and Putin, Trump has often emphasized the balance of power. He has repeatedly asserted that Putin holds “the cards,” while Zelenskyy does not.
Trump, who has long shown admiration for Putin, has also indicated his desire to see U.S.-Russia relations return to a more normalized state.
During a recent tense discussion with Zelenskyy, Trump noted, “Putin went through quite a lot with me,” referencing the federal probe into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential elections, in which he triumphed over Democrat Hillary Clinton.
On Monday, Trump reiterated his perspective that Ukraine is not in a favorable negotiating stance. He claimed Russian forces have “encircled” Ukrainian troops in Russia’s Kursk region — reinforcing a statement made by Russian officials that Zelenskyy has refuted.
Ukraine’s military surprised Russia last August by launching attacks across the border and gaining control of approximately 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) of territory. However, Ukrainian forces are currently in retreat, losing valuable leverage as efforts for a ceasefire with Russia gain traction.
Zelenskyy has acknowledged that his forces are under pressure but has rejected Russian assertions of encirclement in Kursk.
Trump suggested that he has taken undisclosed actions that have prevented Russian forces from decimating Ukrainian troops in Kursk.
“They’re surrounded by Russian troops, and I genuinely believe if it weren’t for me, they wouldn’t still be here,” Trump stated.
Leavitt is among three Trump administration officials facing a lawsuit from The Associated Press, citing First and Fifth Amendment issues. The AP alleges that the officials are retaliating against the news agency for its editorial choices. The White House contends that the AP is not complying with an executive order to refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.
