WASHINGTON:
US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that his administration had engaged in “productive” discussions with Russia regarding a potential ceasefire in Ukraine. He urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to ensure the safety of Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines.
Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Putin late Thursday to present a joint US-Ukrainian proposal calling for a 30-day halt in hostilities between Moscow and Kyiv, following three years of conflict.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated, “We had very good and productive discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday, and there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end.”
However, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that Trump had not personally spoken to Putin on Thursday.
The Kremlin expressed cautious optimism about the possibility of a deal but emphasized that direct talks between Trump and Putin were necessary for further progress.
In Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Putin of attempting to “sabotage diplomacy.” Zelensky claimed that the Russian leader had raised “serious questions” about the feasibility of a ceasefire, setting what he described as “extremely difficult and unacceptable conditions” before negotiations could even begin.
Trump also raised concerns about what he described as “thousands” of Ukrainian troops allegedly surrounded by Russian forces, calling their situation “very bad and vulnerable.” He urged Putin to spare their lives, warning that a potential massacre could be “one not seen since World War II.”
Ukrainian officials swiftly denied Trump’s claims, stating there was “no threat” of their troops being encircled.
Recent developments have seen Russian forces pushing Ukrainian troops out of parts of the Kursk region, which Kyiv had occupied last year.
The Kremlin reiterated that both Moscow and Washington recognize the need for a direct conversation between Putin and Trump to advance the peace process.
The ongoing conflict, which has caused significant devastation and loss of life, remains a critical issue for international diplomacy, with the US and Russia playing pivotal roles in seeking a resolution.
