Trump to Meet Putin for Talks on U.S. Ceasefire Proposal

President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to discuss a U.S. ceasefire proposal aimed at bringing an end to Russia's war in Ukraine. Trump is hopeful that the agreement could pave the way for a peaceful resolution, though skepticism remains, especially from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who doubts Putin’s sincerity as Russian forces continue their attacks.

Despite these concerns, the White House remains optimistic, emphasizing that peace may be within reach. This engagement is the latest development in the shifting dynamics of U.S.-Russia relations, with Trump prioritizing a quick end to the conflict, even if it means straining ties with long-time allies who seek to hold Putin accountable for his invasion.

“It’s a bad situation in both Russia and Ukraine,” Trump said on Monday. “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.”

In preparation for the Trump-Putin meeting, White House special envoy Steve Witkoff recently met with Putin in Moscow to discuss the ceasefire framework. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had also engaged with senior Ukrainian officials, persuading them to agree to the proposal.

Trump has mentioned that discussions could involve “dividing up certain assets” between Ukraine and Russia as part of a peace deal. Notably, Witkoff and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed that talks have touched on the fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which has been under Russian control since shortly after the invasion. The United Nations has repeatedly expressed concerns about the safety of the plant, which provided a significant portion of Ukraine's electricity before the war.

“We’re on the 10th yard line of peace,” Leavitt said. “We’ve never been closer to a peace deal than we are now. The president is determined to get it done.”

However, Bradley Bowman, a senior director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, questioned whether Putin is genuinely interested in ending the war or if he’s simply seeking more concessions while Trump grows increasingly impatient.

Trump, who has repeatedly expressed admiration for Putin, has previously blamed Ukraine for prolonging the conflict and has suggested that the U.S. has made preemptive concessions that weaken Ukraine’s negotiating position. Following a contentious meeting with Zelenskyy in late February, Trump temporarily cut off some military intelligence and aid to Ukraine. However, this support was restored after Ukraine agreed to the ceasefire framework.

Zelenskyy remains skeptical. In his nightly address, he emphasized that Putin continues to drag out the war. “Now, almost a week later, it’s clear to everyone in the world that it is Putin who continues to drag out this war,” Zelenskyy said.

Trump has frequently emphasized the balance of power, asserting that Putin holds the leverage in the negotiations. He has also stated that he would like to restore a more normal U.S.-Russia relationship. In discussing Ukraine’s position, Trump remarked, “Putin has the cards, and Zelenskyy does not.”

Trump, who has made no secret of his admiration for Putin, suggested that Russia's military successes in Ukraine were a result of his actions. He claimed that if not for his efforts, Ukraine’s troops would no longer be in the Kursk region, despite denials from Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian government. Trump also claimed that Russia had “surrounded” Ukrainian forces, a statement that has been contested by Ukrainian officials.

Zelenskyy acknowledged Ukraine’s difficulties on the battlefield but rejected the claim that Ukrainian forces were encircled in Kursk. Nonetheless, with momentum building for a ceasefire, the situation in Ukraine remains fluid.

The outcome of Trump’s meeting with Putin could have significant implications for the ongoing war, potentially reshaping the balance of power in negotiations and the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations.