Trump describes Putin’s ceasefire remarks as “promising” but “incomplete”

U.S. President Donald Trump reacted to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s latest remarks on the Ukraine ceasefire proposal, describing them as "very promising" but "incomplete." 

Speaking on March 13, Trump expressed a willingness to engage in direct talks with Putin to advance peace efforts but emphasized the urgency of resolving the conflict quickly

"I'd love to meet with him or talk to him, but we have to get it over with fast," Trump stated when asked by ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce whether he planned to speak with Putin soon regarding the ceasefire proposal, Caliber.Az reports.

According to Trump, the ceasefire initiative represents "phase one" of a broader peace process. He noted that discussions on a final agreement have included negotiations over territorial control and a "very big power plant."

Earlier this week, U.S. and Ukrainian officials agreed to a 30-day ceasefire following talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the responsibility now lies with Moscow. "The ball is truly in their court," Rubio remarked after the discussions in Jeddah.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Putin’s remarks as "very predictable" and "manipulative" in his March 13 evening address. Zelenskyy accused Putin of deliberately delaying progress by setting conditions designed to stall negotiations.

"Putin, of course, is afraid to tell President Trump directly that he wants to continue this war, wants to kill Ukrainians," Zelenskyy asserted. "That is why, in Moscow, they are setting preconditions for silence that ensure nothing will be resolved or that progress will be delayed for as long as possible."

Yehor Cherniev, a Ukrainian parliamentarian from Zelenskyy’s party, echoed these concerns, suggesting that Russia's strategy is to buy time. "They cannot say yes and they cannot say no," Cherniev told ABC News. "They will put conditions on the ceasefire that are unacceptable to us, so they can shift the responsibility onto Ukraine."

In his remarks, Putin expressed concerns over Ukraine potentially regrouping during the proposed ceasefire and questioned how violations would be monitored. "These are all issues that require careful investigation from both sides," he stated.

Putin suggested that direct discussions with Trump could help address these concerns but reiterated Russia’s formal support for a peaceful resolution. "The idea itself is to end this conflict through peaceful means. We support it," he said. Putin also thanked Trump "for his attention to Ukraine’s settlement," while emphasizing that the ceasefire should lead to long-term peace and address the root causes of the crisis.

Trump’s Middle East envoy arrived in Moscow on March 13 for discussions on the ceasefire proposal. The visit is seen as part of broader diplomatic efforts to press Russia into accepting the temporary truce, which U.S. and Ukrainian officials hope will lay the groundwork for a more comprehensive peace agreement.

"This trip is part of our continued efforts to press Russia to agree to a ceasefire and stop its brutal war against Ukraine," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated in a briefing on March 12.

Ahead of Putin's remarks, Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s readiness for peace but accused Russia of attempting to delay the process. "Ukraine is ready for peace, while Russia seeks to postpone peace," he declared.

By Vugar Khalilov