In a pivotal move that could reshape the war in Ukraine, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in critical ceasefire discussions on Tuesday. The White House described the ongoing call as “going well,” but concerns remain over how much ground Trump may concede to Putin in the process.
The negotiations come amid reports that Trump is open to discussing the division of Ukrainian territory, a move that has sparked alarm in Kyiv and across European capitals. Over the weekend, Trump hinted at talks surrounding “dividing up certain assets,” including land and power plants—likely referencing the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility, Europe’s largest.
Kyiv has agreed to a 30-day ceasefire but insists that Russia must accept the terms unconditionally. Meanwhile, Putin, fresh off a hardline anti-Western speech, has set his own demands, including rejecting NATO peacekeepers in Ukraine and blocking further U.S. military aid to Kyiv.
Trump, who has long expressed admiration for Putin, is determined to fulfill his campaign promise to end the war, blaming former President Joe Biden for prolonging the conflict. On Truth Social, he declared, “It must end NOW.”
However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remains skeptical, warning that Putin is using the ceasefire talks as a strategic ploy to strengthen Russia’s military position. Meanwhile, Russia continues its relentless missile and drone attacks, seizing more Ukrainian territory in recent weeks.
As the world watches, the stakes couldn’t be higher—will Trump broker peace, or will Ukraine be forced to make painful concessions?
