US Officials Anticipate Trump-Putin Call Amid Ceasefire Negotiations

WASHINGTON – In a development aimed at advancing a ceasefire agreement in the Russia-Ukraine war, US officials have revealed that former President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to speak in the coming days. The expected dialogue comes as efforts intensify to broker a lasting ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv.

According to Trump’s foreign envoy, Steve Witkoff, in an interview with CNN on Sunday, his meeting with Putin was “positive” and underscored notable progress in negotiations. “I expect that there’ll be a call with both presidents this week and we’re also continuing to engage and have conversation with the Ukrainians,” Witkoff said. He emphasized that the discussions have narrowed the once-wide gap between the negotiating parties.

Witkoff noted that recent talks, including those in Saudi Arabia led by US national security adviser Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have brought the sides closer to the table. “We’ve narrowed the differences between them and now we’re sitting at the table,” he added, referring to improvements in ceasefire negotiations after a period when the positions were “miles apart.”

The proposed call is part of a broader US strategy to consolidate support for a ceasefire, which has seen Washington and its G7 allies warn Moscow of expanded sanctions and the potential use of frozen Russian assets to bolster Ukraine. These moves follow a week marked by Ukraine’s agreement to a 30-day truce and Russia’s initial hesitance to commit.

In a separate discussion with CBS, Witkoff outlined the complex nature of the negotiations, which span a broad territory that includes sensitive areas such as the Kursk region, a nuclear reactor supplying Ukraine with power, and vital port access. “There’s so many elements to the implementation of a ceasefire here,” he explained, highlighting the challenges of managing conflict along a 2,000-kilometre border.

The envoy also addressed remarks made by French President Emmanuel Macron, who had suggested that Russia was not sincerely pursuing peace. Witkoff declined to directly comment on Macron’s assessment, stressing instead that constructive, long-term discussions have been underway.

While no definitive timeline for a ceasefire has been set, Witkoff cited Trump’s earlier estimate that a deal might take weeks to materialize. As both sides navigate the intricacies of these negotiations, the international community watches closely, hopeful that dialogue between the former US president and the Russian leader may pave the way for an eventual resolution.

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