Washington: In all his efforts to end the Ukraine war, US President Donald Trump on Monday said he plans to speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. During their talks, both these leaders are likely to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. He also disclosed this about the upcoming conversation to reporters while flying from Florida to Washington on Air Force One on Sunday evening.
“We will see if we have something to announce maybe by Tuesday. I will be speaking to President Putin on Tuesday,” Trump said. "A lot of work's been done over the weekend. We want to see if we can bring that war to an end.”
Trump says Russia failed in initial goal to topple Ukraine
Although Russia failed in its initial goal to topple Ukraine with its invasion three years ago, it still controls large swaths of the country.
Trump said land and power plants are part of the conversation around bringing the war to a close.
“We will be talking about land. We will be talking about power plants,” he said.
Zelenskyy appoints Andrii Hnatov as new chief of general staff
In another development, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Andrii Hnatov as the new chief of the general staff of Ukraine's armed forces, as the country looks to restructure and strengthen its military while its engaged in combat in Russia's Kursk region and facing increasing pressure in Donetsk.
Hnatov replaced Anatoliy Barhylevych, who held the position since February 2024. The appointment was announced by the general staff via its Telegram channel Sunday.
“We are systematically transforming the Armed Forces of Ukraine to enhance their combat effectiveness,” Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said.
Barhylevych will now serve as the general inspector of Ukraine's Defense Ministry. Umerov emphasized that Barhylevych would “remain part of the team,” overseeing military standards and strengthening discipline in the army.
Oleksandr Syrskyi remains in place as commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces. Zelenskyy has made frequent personnel changes within the Ukrainian government and military since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.
This change in personnel comes as fighting continues in Russia's Kursk region, where Ukraine's General Staff said that Ukrainian troops had been involved in eight combat clashes on Sunday.
Ukraine's army stunned Russia in August last year by attacking across the border and taking control of an estimated 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) of land, but Ukraine's forces are now in retreat — meaning Ukraine has all but lost a valuable bargaining chip, as momentum builds for a ceasefire with Russia.
On Friday, Russia claimed control of Sudzha, the largest town that Ukraine had occupied in the Kursk region. Ukraine is also battling under growing pressure in its eastern Donetsk region, where Russian troops have been advancing for months.