US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded a high-stakes phone call on Tuesday, as Washington pushed for Moscow’s approval of a 30-day ceasefire plan aimed at ending the ongoing war in Ukraine. The White House and the Kremlin confirmed that the call had ended after lasting more than 90 minutes, but neither side immediately provided details about the substance of the discussion.
Trump's push for ceasefire amid Ukrainian skepticism
The call came as Trump’s administration works to broker a deal between Kyiv and Moscow, despite skepticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who remains doubtful about Putin’s willingness to end hostilities.
Trump had previously stated that his discussion with Putin would focus on the control of territory and power plants seized during the conflict. The U.S. president has made quickly ending the war a top foreign policy goal, even at the cost of straining ties with traditional American allies who insist on holding Russia accountable for its invasion.
Ceasefire talks gain momentum
Last week, Ukrainian officials agreed to the American ceasefire proposal during negotiations in Saudi Arabia, led by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. However, Putin has reportedly sought assurances that Ukraine will not use the pause to rearm its forces.
In preparation for the call, White House special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Putin in Moscow, laying the groundwork for negotiations. Meanwhile, the fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, one of Europe’s largest energy facilities, was also reportedly on the agenda.
Trump administration’s approach under scrutiny
While White House officials remain optimistic about securing a peace deal, critics warn that Trump’s approach may be granting too many concessions to Russia.
Bradley Bowman, senior director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, cautioned that the U.S. strategy appears to be offering “sticks for Ukraine and carrots for Putin.”
Zelenskyy’s growing concerns
Following his recent tense meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy has expressed concerns that the U.S. may be pressuring Ukraine into an unfavorable deal.
In his nightly address, Zelenskyy stated: “It is clear to the world that Putin continues to drag out this war. Ukraine will not accept a deal that sacrifices our sovereignty.”
Despite Ukraine’s battlefield setbacks, Trump remains firm in his belief that Kyiv is in a weak negotiating position and that a ceasefire is necessary to prevent further Ukrainian losses.
What’s next?
With Putin and Trump now having concluded their latest call, diplomatic efforts are expected to intensify in the coming days. However, questions remain over whether Moscow will fully commit to a ceasefire and whether Kyiv will accept the terms being shaped by Washington and Moscow.
For now, the international community awaits further details on what could be a defining moment in the ongoing war.