Trump to call Putin as Ukraine agrees to US-backed ceasefire

US President Donald Trump announced plans to call Russian President Vladimir Putin in the coming days to discuss the situation in Ukraine, following Kyiv’s acceptance of a 30-day ceasefire proposal brokered by the United States.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump confirmed his intent to engage with Putin directly. “I’ll talk to Vladimir Putin,” he said, referencing US-Ukrainian negotiations in Saudi Arabia. “It takes two to tango.” When asked whether the call would take place later this week, he affirmed that it would, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

The US president expressed hope that Russia would accept the ceasefire proposal, calling it a significant step toward de-escalation. “Hopefully, he’ll also agree. And I really think that would be 75% of the way. The rest is getting it documented and, you know, negotiating land positions,” Trump added without providing further details.

Earlier on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine had agreed to the US-proposed ceasefire, which covers the entire front line of the conflict with Russia. The decision followed more than eight hours of negotiations between US and Ukrainian officials in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

“Ukraine accepts this proposal, we consider it positive, we are ready to take such a step, and the United States of America must convince Russia to do so,” Zelenskyy stated. He emphasized that the ceasefire would take effect as soon as Moscow agrees to it.

Following the talks, the United States and Ukraine issued a joint statement confirming that Washington would “immediately lift the pause on intelligence sharing and resume security assistance to Ukraine.” A Ukrainian official later confirmed that US military aid had already resumed.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio underscored that the next move rests with Moscow. “We hope that they’ll say yes, that they’ll say yes to peace. The ball is now in their court,” he said.

Trump welcomed the developments and reiterated his commitment to facilitating dialogue with Putin. His upcoming call with the Russian president could prove pivotal in determining whether the ceasefire will hold and pave the way for broader negotiations to end the war.

By Vugar Khalilov