Trump, Putin Hold Key Talks as US Pushes 30-Day Ukraine Ceasefire

As Israel shattered its ceasefire with Hamas and launched airstrikes that killed over 400 Palestinians, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in an extended phone call on Tuesday to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine.

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WASHINGTON:

The call took place as the White House sought Russia's backing for a 30-day ceasefire proposal to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

While neither the White House nor the Kremlin immediately disclosed specifics of the discussion, both confirmed that the call had concluded.

Before the conversation, Trump had indicated that key topics would include disputed land and power plants seized during the war. "It's a bad situation in Russia, and it's a bad situation in Ukraine," he told reporters on Monday. "What's happening in Ukraine is not good, but we're going to see if we can work a peace agreement, a ceasefire and peace. And I think we'll be able to do it."

The call followed extensive diplomatic efforts, including a meeting in Moscow last week between White House special envoy Steve Witkoff and Putin. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had also convinced senior Ukrainian officials during discussions in Saudi Arabia to accept the proposed ceasefire framework.

Putin had previously signaled his general agreement with the US plan but insisted that Russia needed guarantees that Ukraine would not use the ceasefire to regroup and rearm. The Russian leader has also demanded that Ukraine withdraw its NATO ambitions, drastically reduce its military, and protect Russian language and cultural rights.

Trump indicated that negotiations between Washington and Moscow had already touched on "dividing up certain assets" between Ukraine and Russia as part of a broader settlement.

Trump's stance on the war has shifted US-Russia relations significantly, as he prioritizes ending the conflict quickly—sometimes at odds with traditional U.S. allies who advocate holding Putin accountable for the invasion.