Trump, Putin Call Expected This Week as U.S. Edges Closer to Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire Deal
Washington, D.C. – A phone call between former President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected this week as the U.S. moves closer to securing a ceasefire deal in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, U.S. special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff confirmed on Sunday.
During an appearance on CNN’s State of the Union, Witkoff expressed optimism about the progress being made in peace negotiations. “The president uses the timeframe weeks, and I don’t disagree with him. I am really hopeful that we’re going to see some real progress here,” he stated.
Witkoff emphasized the complexity of the situation but noted that the negotiations have advanced at an unexpectedly rapid pace. “Nobody expected progress this fast. This is a highly complicated situation, and yet we’re bridging the gap between two sides,” he added.
The anticipated Trump-Putin discussion follows a series of diplomatic efforts. Last week, U.S. and Ukrainian officials met with Russian representatives in Saudi Arabia, where they agreed on the framework for a possible ceasefire. The terms of the deal remain undisclosed, but sources indicate that significant compromises have been made to pave the way for de-escalation.
Witkoff, who recently held a three-to-four-hour meeting with Putin, described the talks as “positive” and “solution-based.” While he did not disclose specific details, he underscored the importance of ongoing dialogue between the involved parties.
The potential ceasefire deal could mark a turning point in the two-year-long conflict, which has had devastating humanitarian and economic consequences. If successful, the agreement may bring relief to Ukraine and lead to a broader discussion about security arrangements in Eastern Europe.
As Trump and Putin prepare for their conversation, all eyes remain on how the negotiations will unfold and whether a lasting peace deal can be achieved.
