In a week of high-stakes diplomacy, President Donald Trump declared that negotiations between Russia and Ukraine are “very much on track” following a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Trump Says Russia-Ukraine Talks “On Track”
The conversation, which took place on Wednesday, came just a day after Trump’s lengthy phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. While the talks have yet to yield a comprehensive ceasefire, the U.S. president expressed optimism about progress toward ending the nearly three-year-long war.
A Partial Ceasefire and Energy Infrastructure
The centerpiece of the discussions has been a proposed partial ceasefire focused on halting attacks on energy infrastructure. According to statements from the White House, both Zelensky and Putin have tentatively agreed to this limited truce, which would prevent strikes on critical facilities such as power plants and oil refineries. Trump described the agreement as a “first step” toward a broader peace deal.
“The two leaders also agreed on a partial ceasefire against energy,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, referencing Trump’s call with Zelensky. “Technical teams will meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to discuss broadening the ceasefire to the Black Sea on the way to a full ceasefire.”
However, skepticism remains. Hours after Putin reportedly agreed to halt attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities, Russian forces launched drone strikes targeting energy infrastructure and even hospitals, according to Ukrainian officials. Zelensky, speaking from Helsinki during a joint press conference with Finland’s president, called Putin’s verbal commitments “very different from reality.”
The Trump-Putin Dynamic
Trump’s call with Putin on Tuesday lasted over 90 minutes and was described by the White House as “productive.” The U.S. president sought to secure a 30-day total ceasefire, a proposal backed by Ukraine. However, Putin declined to endorse the broader truce, instead agreeing only to the limited energy-focused ceasefire. The Kremlin cited “significant issues” with ensuring control over a full ceasefire and reiterated its demand for the cessation of Western military aid to Ukraine.
Despite these challenges, Trump framed the talks as a step forward. “We agreed to an immediate ceasefire on all energy and infrastructure, with an understanding that we will be working quickly to have a complete ceasefire and, ultimately, an end to this very horrible war,” Trump wrote on social media.
Zelensky’s Red Lines
For Zelensky, the stakes are existential. The Ukrainian president has made it clear that any peace deal must respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity, including rejecting Russian claims to occupied territories like Crimea. “A verbal commitment from Russia to abide by a ceasefire is not enough,” Zelensky said, emphasizing the need for continued Western sanctions on Russia and military support for Ukraine.
Zelensky also expressed frustration with the pace of negotiations. “Only a real cessation of strikes on civilian infrastructure by Russia, as proof of its willingness to end this war, can bring peace closer,” he said.
The Role of the U.S. and Europe
The United States has positioned itself as a key mediator in the conflict, with Trump’s administration pushing for a resolution that balances Ukraine’s sovereignty with Russia’s demands. However, Trump’s approach has drawn criticism, particularly from European leaders who feel sidelined in the negotiations. Finnish President Alexander Stubb underscored the importance of European involvement, stating, “For an agreement to work, the Europeans must be at the table to approve it.”
Germany’s defense minister, Boris Pistorius, was more blunt, accusing Putin of “playing a game” by agreeing to limited measures while continuing attacks on civilian infrastructure. The European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, echoed these concerns, warning that any deal requiring Ukraine to halt military aid would leave the country vulnerable to future aggression.
A Path Forward?
The next phase of negotiations is set to take place in Saudi Arabia, where U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, will meet with Russian and Ukrainian counterparts. The goal is to expand the partial ceasefire into a broader agreement that includes a maritime truce in the Black Sea and, eventually, a full cessation of hostilities.
For now, the war grinds on. Both sides continue to trade strikes, and the humanitarian toll mounts. Yet Trump remains optimistic, framing his efforts as a historic opportunity to broker peace. “This conflict should never have started and should have been ended long ago with sincere and good faith peace efforts,” he said.
Whether this optimism translates into tangible results remains to be seen. For Zelensky, Putin, and the international community, the coming weeks will test whether diplomacy can succeed where military force has failed.