Key Points:
- US proposes a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine; Kyiv accepts, but Moscow remains hesitant.
- Presidents Trump and Putin expected to discuss the truce this week.
- Russia raises “serious concerns” over the ceasefire, citing battlefield dynamics.
- Recent talks between US Secretary of State Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov focus on next steps.
- Ukrainian President Zelenskyy accuses Russia of stalling to gain military advantage.
Washington D.C.: In a significant diplomatic push, US President Donald Trump is set to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin this week to discuss a proposed 30-day ceasefire in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The United States, along with its European allies, has been pressing Moscow to agree to the temporary truce, which Kyiv has already accepted. However, Russia has expressed reservations, citing concerns about the proposal’s implications on its military strategy.
Ceasefire Proposal and Reactions
The ceasefire plan, negotiated during a high-level summit in Saudi Arabia last month, calls for an immediate halt to hostilities for 30 days. It also includes provisions for prisoner exchanges, the return of forcibly relocated Ukrainian children, and other humanitarian measures. While Ukraine has endorsed the plan, Russian President Vladimir Putin has raised “serious questions,” stating that Moscow needs assurances regarding Ukraine’s actions during the ceasefire.
Putin has expressed concerns that the truce might allow Ukraine to regroup militarily. “How will these 30 days be utilized? For mobilization, weapon deliveries, or training? What guarantees do we have?” he questioned during a recent press conference.
US envoy Steve Witkoff remains optimistic about the upcoming Trump-Putin dialogue. Speaking to CNN on Sunday after a meeting with Putin in Moscow, Witkoff said, “The two presidents are going to have a really productive and affirmative conversation this week.” He added that Trump is hopeful for a breakthrough in the coming weeks.
Diplomatic Efforts Intensify
The push for a ceasefire follows renewed talks between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The two officials discussed “next steps” during a phone call last week aimed at restoring communication between Washington and Moscow. However, Russia’s official statement made no mention of the ceasefire proposal.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Moscow of stalling negotiations to improve its position on the battlefield. “Russia does not want peace; they want to gain an advantage before agreeing to anything,” Zelenskyy said on Saturday.
Escalating Tensions on the Ground
As diplomatic efforts continue, fighting has intensified in parts of Ukraine. Over the weekend, Russia launched 90 Iranian-made Shahed drones across nine Ukrainian regions, escalating tensions further. On the battlefield, Russian forces have made gains in some areas while pushing Ukrainian troops out of parts of Russia’s Kursk region.
Putin has stated that he plans to discuss these battlefield dynamics with Trump during their upcoming phone call. The Kremlin claims that any ceasefire must address Russia’s strategic concerns in both southern and eastern Ukraine.
Global Reactions
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticized Russia’s reluctance to commit to the truce during a virtual summit on Ukraine hosted by Britain. “The ‘yes, but’ from Russia is not good enough,” Starmer said, urging an end to what he called “barbaric attacks” on Ukraine.
The proposed ceasefire marks one of the most significant diplomatic efforts since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022. The Riyadh summit in February was the first high-level meeting between US and Russian officials since the conflict started.
As Trump prepares for his pivotal conversation with Putin this week, global attention remains fixed on whether this latest effort can bring even temporary relief to war-torn Ukraine or if it will falter amid mistrust and competing interests.
