Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump are scheduled to hold a phone conversation on Tuesday, with a U.S. official expressing optimism that the two leaders could reach an agreement on a ceasefire in Ukraine within weeks. Trump previously stated that significant progress had been made between the U.S. and Russia toward resolving the three-year conflict in Ukraine, adding that there was a “very good chance” the fighting could soon come to an end.
Last week, Putin indicated his support for a ceasefire but raised concerns about its implementation, stating he had “serious questions” that he intended to discuss with Trump. While Kyiv has agreed to the ceasefire proposal, European allies have criticized Putin for not committing to an immediate and unconditional end to hostilities. The UK, in particular, accused the Russian leader of “dragging his feet” on the matter.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the upcoming call to reporters, including AFP, but did not elaborate on the specific topics to be discussed. Trump mentioned that the conversation would address issues related to “land” and power plants, likely referring to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in southern Ukraine, which is under Russian control. Russia currently occupies significant portions of southern and eastern Ukraine.
This will be the first direct conversation between Trump and Putin since last month, when their call disrupted Western efforts to isolate the Russian president amid the ongoing conflict. Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Putin in Moscow last Thursday to present details of a joint ceasefire plan, which proposes a 30-day pause in fighting. Witkoff expressed confidence that an agreement could be reached in the “coming weeks.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reacted strongly to Putin’s statements, accusing him of seeking to prolong the war. On Saturday, Zelensky warned that Moscow aims to strengthen its position on the battlefield before agreeing to any ceasefire. Russian forces have been advancing in several areas of the frontlines for over a year.
On Monday, Russia claimed to have captured Stepove, a village in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, though open-source battlefield maps indicated the area remained outside Moscow’s control. In recent weeks, Russia has also launched a significant counteroffensive against Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region. Last week, Russian forces retook Sudzha, a key town seized by Ukraine during its summer 2024 incursion, along with surrounding areas.
Additionally, Russia has reported relocating several hundred civilians who were previously trapped in territories held by Kyiv. The situation remains fluid, with both sides continuing to maneuver for strategic advantages as diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire unfold.
