Washington, March 18, 2025 – U.S. President Donald Trump is set to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in a high-stakes diplomatic effort to secure a ceasefire in Russia’s ongoing war with Ukraine. The conversation will test Trump’s negotiation skills and his complex relationship with the Russian leader, which has raised concerns among traditional U.S. allies.
"Many elements of a Final Agreement have been agreed to, but much remains," Trump stated on social media Monday. "Each week brings 2,500 soldier deaths from both sides, and it must end NOW. I look very much forward to the call with President Putin."
The United States has been working to broker a 30-day truce, a proposal that Ukraine has already accepted. "We got a good commitment from Ukraine last week," U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Fox News radio. "They agreed to stop shooting and freeze everything where it is, and we can get to talking about how to end this permanently. And now we have to get something similar from the Russians."
Key Sticking Points in the Ceasefire Negotiations
Trump has hinted that a long-term peace deal could involve territorial concessions by Ukraine and agreements on control of key infrastructure, including a nuclear power plant. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has consistently rejected any compromise on his nation’s sovereignty, insisting that Russia must withdraw from all occupied territories.
Russia, which annexed Crimea in 2014 and seized large parts of four eastern Ukrainian regions since its 2022 invasion, has made clear demands. Putin insists that Ukraine abandon its NATO ambitions, recognize Russian control over occupied areas, and ease Western-imposed sanctions. Additionally, the Kremlin has called for Ukraine to hold presidential elections—a move viewed by Kyiv as an attempt to undermine Zelenskiy’s leadership, given that he is currently governing under martial law.
Putin’s Hardline Negotiation Approach
Trump, who has repeatedly claimed he could end the war in 24 hours, faces a formidable challenge in negotiating with Putin, whom Zelenskiy and Western analysts have accused of disregarding previous agreements.
"There's a danger that he will try to create more noise in this conversation with President Trump, pretending to agree on something while at the same time demanding more and more concessions from Ukraine," said Maria Snegovaya, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "The worst-case scenario is that Putin convinces Trump to accept a deal that benefits Russia without securing a real resolution."
Trump’s approach to Russia has drawn criticism in the past, particularly as he has shifted U.S. policy closer to Moscow while straining relationships with allies. His recent meeting with Zelenskiy at the White House was reportedly contentious, with Trump and Vice President JD Vance expressing frustration over what they perceived as a lack of gratitude from the Ukrainian leader for American support.
As Tuesday’s call approaches, officials remain tight-lipped about the exact timing, citing the significant time difference between Washington and Moscow. The outcome of the conversation could prove pivotal in determining the next phase of the three-year-long war.
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