President Donald Trump is optimistic that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will make headway on a ceasefire during their discussions on Monday.
In a social media update over the weekend, Trump voiced his hope for a “productive day” and a ceasefire agreement. He is also reaching out to NATO leaders in this effort.
The ongoing war, which began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022, poses a significant challenge for Trump, particularly since he has touted himself as a deal-maker, claiming he could quickly resolve the conflict upon his return to the White House.
Trump seems to rely on his personal rapport with Putin and his experience to facilitate a pause in the fighting.
“His perspective is that a call with President Putin is necessary to clear some of the roadblocks and guide us toward a resolution,” said Trump envoy Steve Witkoff. “I believe this call is likely to be very effective.”
However, there are concerns that Trump’s perceived closeness to Putin might disadvantage Ukraine in negotiations with the U.S.
Bridget Brink, the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, recently discussed her resignation, linking it to a meeting in February where Trump and his team criticized Zelensky for not deferring enough to their wishes.
“Peace shouldn’t be pursued at any cost,” Brink stated, noting that history shows such a temperament often leads to further conflicts.
Trump appears frustrated by the war, as indicated by his posts leading up to the anticipated call on Monday, suggesting their conversation would center on halting the violence. There are hints that he might use financial pressure to broker some form of agreement, especially considering the sanctions against Russia that have hampered its economic growth.
Trump’s aim is clear: “A conflict that should never have occurred must end,” he believes.
Additionally, Trump’s Treasury Secretary, Scott Bescent, remarked that Putin’s failure to negotiate seriously could result in more sanctions against Russia, asserting that previous sanctions issued under President Biden hadn’t sufficiently curtailed Russian oil revenues.
While the U.S. seeks to limit Russia’s oil earnings as a means to mitigate war-related inflation, recent talks between Zelensky and Putin hit a snag when Putin declined an in-person meeting in Turkey, dismissing a 30-day ceasefire proposed by Western allies.
Despite a brief opportunity for a ceasefire that occurred on Friday, both nations have committed to trading 1,000 prisoners of war, with exchanges possibly taking place soon.
During a recent trip to the Middle East, Trump mentioned that Putin had not visited Turkey because he himself was not in attendance, stating, “We will meet, and I doubt we’ll come to complete resolution, but it will be interesting to see.”
Zelensky also met with key U.S. officials over the weekend to press his case ahead of Monday’s call, taking to social media to discuss negotiations and describing the Russian delegation as “low-level” and unable to make decisive choices. He emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to “real diplomacy” for achieving a ceasefire.
“We discussed a number of issues, from Russia to bilateral trade and the situation on the battlefield. It’s crucial that we maintain pressure on Russia until they’re ready to halt the war,” Zelensky noted.
German Prime Minister Friedrich Merz, along with leaders from France, Britain, and Italy, held conversations over the weekend about Trump’s upcoming dialogue with Putin, though details remain sparse. They aim to continue discussions soon after Trump’s call.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Putin “must demonstrate a commitment to peace by accepting an unconditional 30-day ceasefire suggested by President Trump, with support from Ukraine and Europe.”
This diplomatic push coincides with an increase in Russian military activity, as reported by Ukraine’s Air Force, which noted a significant drone attack targeting regions including Kiev, Dnipropetrovsk, and Donetsk.
Both Witkoff and Brink made appearances on various Sunday talk shows to discuss the ongoing situation.
