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Trump Speaks on the Possibility of a Ukraine Ceasefire Amid Continued Tensions
The President of the United States addresses Russia's preliminary backing for a ceasefire as talks advance.
During a press conference on Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump conveyed a sense of cautious optimism regarding the possibility of a ceasefire in Ukraine, spurred by remarks from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Putin expressed his backing for a 30-day ceasefire but mentioned he had 'serious questions' he wanted to discuss with Trump.
Trump characterized Putin's comments as 'very promising' but stressed that they were incomplete.
While meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the White House, he expressed a desire to 'meet with him or talk to him,' adding, 'But we need to finalize [the ceasefire agreement] quickly.'
This dialogue follows the arrival of Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, in Moscow for discussions about the ongoing conflict.
Trump stated that if Russia were to dismiss the proposed peace plan, it would be 'a very disappointing moment for the world.'
He noted that many details regarding a final agreement had already been discussed, saying, 'Now we’re going to see if Russia is on board, and if not, it will be a very disappointing moment for the world.'
In discussing potential long-term peace talks, Trump pointed to sensitive issues regarding territorial concessions.
'We have not been operating in secrecy. We’ve been talking with Ukraine about which lands will be maintained and which will be relinquished,' he observed.
He also highlighted the importance of a power plant in these discussions, alluding to the stakes involved in controlling the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is currently held by Russia and is recognized as the largest nuclear facility in Europe.
The complexities of the negotiations were emphasized by Trump, who commented on the difficulties of 'defining the edge of a country.'
These talks occur in the context of Ukraine agreeing to a U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire following diplomatic discussions in Saudi Arabia this week, amid rising tensions following interactions between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in late February.
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, the region has experienced significant conflict and instability, underscoring the importance of ongoing international diplomatic initiatives.
Putin expressed his backing for a 30-day ceasefire but mentioned he had 'serious questions' he wanted to discuss with Trump.
Trump characterized Putin's comments as 'very promising' but stressed that they were incomplete.
While meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the White House, he expressed a desire to 'meet with him or talk to him,' adding, 'But we need to finalize [the ceasefire agreement] quickly.'
This dialogue follows the arrival of Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, in Moscow for discussions about the ongoing conflict.
Trump stated that if Russia were to dismiss the proposed peace plan, it would be 'a very disappointing moment for the world.'
He noted that many details regarding a final agreement had already been discussed, saying, 'Now we’re going to see if Russia is on board, and if not, it will be a very disappointing moment for the world.'
In discussing potential long-term peace talks, Trump pointed to sensitive issues regarding territorial concessions.
'We have not been operating in secrecy. We’ve been talking with Ukraine about which lands will be maintained and which will be relinquished,' he observed.
He also highlighted the importance of a power plant in these discussions, alluding to the stakes involved in controlling the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is currently held by Russia and is recognized as the largest nuclear facility in Europe.
The complexities of the negotiations were emphasized by Trump, who commented on the difficulties of 'defining the edge of a country.'
These talks occur in the context of Ukraine agreeing to a U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire following diplomatic discussions in Saudi Arabia this week, amid rising tensions following interactions between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in late February.
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, the region has experienced significant conflict and instability, underscoring the importance of ongoing international diplomatic initiatives.
