Key Points:
- US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin hold crucial two-and-a-half-hour phone call.
- Discussion focused on a proposed 30-day ceasefire to halt ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
- Putin raised conditions and questions about the implementation of the ceasefire.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky currently in Finland seeking military support.
- Trump’s administration optimistic yet cautious about achieving lasting peace.
New Delhi: In a significant diplomatic move, US President Donald Trump held an intensive two-and-a-half-hour phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, aiming to secure a ceasefire agreement to halt the devastating war in Ukraine. This highly anticipated call, described by White House officials as “going well,” covered critical issues ranging from the Middle East to detailed negotiations on the Ukraine crisis.
According to reports, Putin displayed unusual eagerness for the discussion, arriving half an hour early for the scheduled call—an uncommon occurrence for the Russian leader known for frequently arriving late to international engagements.
Ceasefire Proposal and Putin’s Conditions
President Trump strongly advocated for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Ukraine, emphasizing that each week of fighting results in approximately 2,500 military fatalities from both sides. The US-proposed ceasefire would last 30 days, intended as a pathway toward more permanent peace negotiations.
However, Putin expressed cautious skepticism about the ceasefire proposal. He outlined several conditions and posed critical questions regarding its implementation:
- Who would oversee and enforce the ceasefire?
- How would the 30-day pause be utilized would it serve as time for Ukraine’s rearmament or training?
- What mechanisms would ensure compliance from both sides?
Putin’s concerns reflect broader Russian apprehensions about potential strategic disadvantages during any temporary halt in hostilities.
Zelensky Seeks Military Aid in Finland
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky traveled to Finland amid these critical negotiations. Zelensky is meeting with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, and defense industry representatives to secure additional military assistance crucial for Ukraine’s ongoing defense efforts.
Zelensky emphasized via Telegram that his discussions in Helsinki are primarily centered around securing arms supplies. Finland has been a steadfast supporter of Ukraine since Russia’s invasion began in 2022, providing substantial military aid packages and signing long-term defense cooperation agreements.
Diplomatic Challenges Ahead
The Trump administration remains cautiously optimistic about securing Russian acceptance of the ceasefire. Trump’s recent statements indicated that while “numerous aspects” of a peace arrangement have been agreed upon with Moscow, significant details remain unresolved.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously facilitated preliminary discussions between Ukrainian representatives and US officials in Saudi Arabia. However, these talks notably lacked direct participation from Russian negotiators. Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff also recently engaged with Russian officials in Moscow to lay groundwork for this crucial phone call.
Despite Trump’s confidence in his negotiating abilities, experts warn of potential pitfalls. Analysts caution that Putin is known as a tough negotiator who may attempt to leverage any temporary truce to Russia’s advantage or delay meaningful concessions indefinitely.
As diplomatic efforts intensify, all eyes remain on Washington and Moscow’s next moves hoping this latest dialogue could mark a genuine turning point toward ending Europe’s largest conflict since World War II.
