Trump and Zelenskyy Discuss Ceasefire After Putin Agreement
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and former President Trump discussed recent developments with Putin, including a 30-day ceasefire agreement and a prisoner exchange. Zelenskyy expressed skepticism about Putin’s commitment and urged international support for Ukraine. Despite positive dialogue, the overall outcome regarding a full ceasefire remains uncertain.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and former President Donald Trump engaged in a productive phone conversation that touched on the recent agreement made with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump shared on Truth Social that their discussion mainly revolved around the prior day’s call he had with Putin, aiming to align the needs of both Russia and Ukraine. He expressed optimism, stating, “We are very much on track.”
Putin announced a temporary halt on attacks against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure for a 30-day period, although this ceasefire does not cover frontline or civilian areas, contrary to earlier hopes by the Trump administration. Special envoy Steve Witkoff noted on Wednesday his belief that a comprehensive ceasefire could be achievable within a few weeks, despite uncertainties around returning Ukrainian delegates for further negotiations in Saudi Arabia.
A recent agreement also included the exchange of 175 prisoners and the return of 23 seriously wounded Ukrainians, termed a gesture of goodwill by Putin. In a post on X, Zelenskyy reflected on the successful exchange, indicating gratitude towards partners like the UAE, but he did not credit U.S. involvement in these negotiations.
International leaders expressed their frustration about the lack of acceptance of Ukraine’s prior deal during Trump’s discussions, with Trump acknowledging that persuading Putin toward a full ceasefire would be difficult due to Russia’s advantageous position. Zelenskyy’s office refrained from commenting post-call, but he criticized Putin for rejecting the full ceasefire proposal, emphasizing the need for the international community to counter any prolongation of the conflict.
Zelenskyy urged for stronger actions from the global community including sanctions against Russia, support for Ukraine, bolstering allies, and establishing security guarantees, concluding that only a verifiable end to Russian attacks can pave the way for enduring peace.
The recent call between Trump and Zelenskyy emphasized ongoing diplomatic efforts following an agreement with Putin regarding a temporary ceasefire and prisoner exchange. While optimism about peace remains, skepticism persists, particularly regarding trust in Putin’s commitments. Zelenskyy urges the international community to adopt a more muscular response, advocating for sanctions and assistance to Ukraine to truly move toward peace.
Original Source: www.foxnews.com
