The Kremlin stated on Monday that work was underway to arrange the second telephone name between President Vladimir V. Putin and President Trump however refused to reveal what can be on the agenda, as American officers continued to challenge optimism a few U.S.-backed cease-fire take care of Ukraine.
The extremely anticipated telephone name, scheduled for Tuesday, would be the first identified dialog between the 2 leaders since Mr. Putin laid out quite a few circumstances for a cease-fire that might delay or derail any truce.
Talking aboard Air Pressure One on Sunday night, Mr. Trump said that he expected to discuss territorial issues with Mr. Putin in addition to the destiny of Ukrainian energy vegetation. He additionally famous that there had already been discussions about “dividing up sure belongings.”
“We need to see if we are able to carry that struggle to an finish,” Mr. Trump stated. “Perhaps we are able to. Perhaps we are able to’t, however I feel we have now an excellent probability.”
The Kremlin’s spokesman confirmed at a briefing on Monday {that a} name was anticipated to happen the next day. When requested whether or not Ukrainian nuclear energy vegetation can be mentioned, the spokesman, Dmitri S. Peskov, stated that in Moscow’s “opinion the contents of conversations between the 2 leaders can’t be mentioned a priori.”
“That’s the reason we won’t try this,” he stated.
In current weeks, Russia and the USA have engaged in tightrope bargaining over the struggle in Ukraine that Mr. Putin began greater than three years in the past. Ukraine has agreed to assist a U.S.-backed monthlong cease-fire, so long as Russia does the identical.
Whereas Mr. Trump has unequivocally showcased his want to obtain some type of truce as rapidly as doable, Mr. Putin appears to be searching for to use the second to win extra concessions.
Talking in regards to the proposal for a 30-day cease-fire final week, Mr. Putin stated the concept was “the suitable one and we undoubtedly assist it.”
“However there are questions that we have to focus on, and I feel that we have to discuss them by way of with our American colleagues and companions,” he instructed a information convention.
These remarks got here simply earlier than Mr. Putin met with Steve Witkoff, who serves as Mr. Trump’s particular envoy to the Center East. However he has been concerned within the peace talks over Ukraine and different discussions about restoring ties between Moscow and Washington.
Mr. Witkoff instructed CNN on Sunday that his assembly with Russia’s chief had lasted three to 4 hours. He declined to share the specifics of their dialog, however stated it went nicely and that the 2 sides had “narrowed the variations between them.”
Moscow’s push to drive out Ukrainian troops from most of the Kursk region of Russia in current days has disadvantaged Kyiv of an necessary bargaining chip in any potential negotiations. Mr. Putin now seems to be utilizing the Ukrainian retreat in Kursk to attempt to strengthen his hand in talks with the Trump administration about pausing the hostilities.
Tyler Pager contributed reporting.
