Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin had made “very hopeful” comments regarding a potential ceasefire in Ukraine but noted that they were “not complete.”
Trump made the remarks following Putin’s announcement that he supports the idea of a 30-day ceasefire but has serious concerns that he wishes to discuss with his American counterpart.
Speaking at the White House alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump told reporters, “He made very hopeful remarks, but they’re not complete.” The former president added, “I want to meet with him or talk to him. But we need to get this [ceasefire agreement] done as soon as possible.”
As Trump’s special envoy, Steve Whitcoff, has arrived in Moscow for discussions, the president emphasized that negotiations have gone into great detail, warning that if Russia rejects the peace plan, it would be a “very sad moment for the world.”
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Putin’s ceasefire comments as “deceptive.” In a televised address, Zelensky said, “We have all heard Putin’s predictable and misleading statements about the ceasefire idea.”
He added, “We are not setting conditions to complicate anything. Russia is.” Zelensky accused Putin of preparing to reject the peace proposal but being unwilling to tell Trump directly that he wants the war to continue.
Trump also briefly discussed long-term peace negotiations following any ceasefire, including the issue of Ukrainian territory that could either be retained or conceded to Russia.
“We are discussing Ukraine’s land and some other areas that may either be kept or lost,” Trump said, adding that the negotiations involve “a very large power plant” and who would control it.
Although Trump did not specify which plant, Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station—Europe’s largest nuclear facility—is currently under Russian control and remains at the center of the conflict.
These developments come just days after U.S. and Ukrainian officials held negotiations in Riyadh, where Ukraine reportedly agreed to a 30-day ceasefire plan.
