Immediate Ukraine Ceasefire on The Cards After ‘Very Good and Productive’ Trump-Putin Talks? Here’s What US President Said

New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has described his phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin as "very good and productive," following the leaders’ agreement to work toward a 30-day limited ceasefire in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. 

According to Trump, the ceasefire will target energy and infrastructure, marking the first step towards a broader peace agreement.

In a statement after the call, Trump said that both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were eager to end the conflict, stating, “Thousands of soldiers are being killed, and both President Putin and President Zelenskyy would like to see it end. That process is now in full force, and we will, hopefully, for the sake of Humanity, get the job done!”

Trump also pointed out that the war, which has claimed countless lives and resources, would not have started under his presidency, claiming, “This War would have never started if I were President!”

The White House confirmed that the leaders agreed on a phased ceasefire that includes a halt to attacks on energy infrastructure, with plans to expand the ceasefire to maritime security in the Black Sea and eventually bring about a lasting resolution to the war. 

The statement further noted, “Both leaders agreed this conflict needs to end with a lasting peace,” adding that resources spent on the war would be better used to address the needs of the people in both Russia and Ukraine.

Ukraine’s Stance and Ongoing Negotiations

The specifics of the ceasefire remain in flux, particularly regarding Ukraine's position. Ukrainian officials had previously discussed a limited ceasefire proposal during recent talks with U.S. representatives in Saudi Arabia, which included provisions for the Black Sea, long-range missile strikes, and prisoner exchanges. While Ukraine has accepted the framework for a 30-day ceasefire, President Zelenskyy remains cautious about Russia’s intentions, especially given ongoing Russian strikes on Ukrainian territory.

The Kremlin welcomed Trump’s proposal for a maritime ceasefire, agreeing to negotiate further details of such an agreement. In addition, Russia announced plans to swap 175 prisoners of war with Ukraine on Wednesday and agreed to transfer 23 severely wounded Ukrainian soldiers.

The Push for Peace Amidst Growing Tensions

Ahead of the call, White House special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Putin in Moscow to discuss the ceasefire proposal, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio played a pivotal role in persuading Ukrainian officials to accept the ceasefire framework.

As negotiations continue, the world watches closely to see whether the temporary ceasefire can pave the way for a broader, lasting peace in the region.