Russian television recently aired a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and military commanders. During this meeting, the commanders reported that Russian forces have regained control of 86% of the territory previously held by Ukraine. This announcement comes amid ongoing discussions about a potential ceasefire.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke after a meeting in Jeddah, emphasizing that the United States should play a key role in persuading Russia to accept a "positive" ceasefire proposal. The Kremlin has indicated it is reviewing the ceasefire deal, and there is a possibility of a phone call between former President Donald Trump and Putin to discuss the matter further.
In a joint appearance with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, Trump mentioned receiving encouraging messages about the ceasefire but cautioned that such messages alone are not enough. He stressed the seriousness of the situation and did not disclose which officials would be traveling to Moscow for discussions.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that National Security Secretary Mike Waltz has been in contact with his Russian counterpart. Additionally, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is set to head to Moscow for negotiations following the talks in Jeddah.
Leavitt urged Russia to agree to the ceasefire plan, stating that it represents the closest opportunity for peace in the ongoing conflict. The Kremlin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, stated that more details about the ceasefire will be shared through various channels in the coming days.
Trump expressed optimism that a ceasefire would be beneficial for Russia, citing potential risks for the country if the conflict continues. He noted that the situation involves discussions about land and other related issues. Trump also mentioned that he has financial measures that could pressure Russia but prefers to avoid them in the interest of achieving peace.
This meeting in Jeddah marked the first significant engagement between U.S. and Ukrainian officials since a contentious meeting on February 28, which had led to a pause in U.S. military assistance to Ukraine. Following the recent talks, Trump indicated that both the U.S. and Ukraine are now more aligned in their desire for peace.