NAIROBI, Kenya — A potential breakthrough in the Ukraine war may be on the horizon as U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin prepare for a crucial call in the coming days.
The discussion comes amid ongoing negotiations over a possible ceasefire, with both sides weighing their conditions for peace.
Diplomatic Push for a Ceasefire
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s envoy, revealed that talks are intensifying, with U.S. negotiators engaging both Russian and Ukrainian counterparts.
In an interview with CNN, Witkoff confirmed that a Trump-Putin call is imminent.
“We’re continuing conversations with the Ukrainians and advising them on everything we’re considering,” he said.
Last week, the U.S. and Ukraine put forward a 30-day ceasefire proposal to Russia. While Putin has expressed support for a temporary truce, he has also laid out tough preconditions that could complicate the deal.
Still, Witkoff remains optimistic. “I think the two presidents are going to have a really good and positive discussion this week,” he said, adding that negotiations are expected to ramp up in the coming weeks.
*** Trump Plans to Talk With Putin on Tuesday *** 🇺🇸🇷🇺👏🏻‼️“…I’ll be speaking to President Putin on Tuesday,” Trump told journalists.😎Land to be discussed.Territorial issues & control over nuclear power plants will be talked through during the call, he said.‼️“It’s a lot…
Trump’s Hands-On Approach
Trump, who repeatedly promised during his campaign to end the war on “day one” of his administration, is actively involved in the back-and-forth.
Less than a month into his presidency, he had a 90-minute call with Putin discussing a path to peace.
Witkoff emphasized how closely Trump is monitoring the situation.
“Within five to ten minutes of my meeting with Putin on Thursday, I was back at the U.S. embassy briefing the president, Vice President JD Vance, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz,” he said.
According to Witkoff, Trump is getting real-time updates and is personally engaged in every major decision regarding the ceasefire talks.
The Big Question: What About Occupied Ukraine?
One of the thorniest issues remains Russia’s control over approximately one-fifth of Ukraine.
Witkoff declined to comment on how occupied land would be addressed in a potential peace deal—likely a key sticking point in any negotiations.
Despite the complexities, the U.S. remains hopeful that a resolution is within reach. “I’m really hopeful we’re going to see some progress here,” Witkoff said.
With Trump and Putin expected to talk soon, all eyes will be on whether this conversation moves the needle toward ending the three-year war—or if it’s just another round of diplomatic posturing.
