Negotiators working to end the Russia-Ukraine war have already begun discussing the division of certain assets, U.S. President Donald Trump revealed on Sunday, as he announced plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.
Trump’s comments come shortly after he proposed a 30-day ceasefire, which Ukraine reportedly accepted, leaving the decision in Russia’s hands on whether to agree to a swift resolution to the war.
Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on his way back to the White House from Mar-a-Lago that negotiations were progressing and that there was a good chance of reaching an agreement. He stated that while nothing was certain, he remained optimistic about the outcome.
Trump confirmed that negotiators had already identified key discussion points, particularly regarding land and infrastructure. He mentioned that land ownership had changed significantly since the start of the war and that discussions would focus on land distribution and power plants, which have been key assets in the conflict. He added that both Ukraine and Russia had already engaged in discussions regarding the division of assets.
While the Kremlin confirmed that Putin and Trump would speak on Tuesday, it did not provide further details. Putin’s response to the ceasefire proposal has been mixed—he stated that Moscow agrees with the proposal in principle but also outlined strict conditions and demands from Kyiv. He reiterated his stance that Ukraine’s government was part of the root cause of the war, a claim Kyiv and its allies have rejected.
One of the most sensitive issues remains the territorial concessions that Russia demands as a precondition for ending the war. American officials believe Ukraine may need to cede some territory to secure peace, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has consistently refused to give up any land. Some European leaders have also expressed concerns that doing so would reward Putin for his invasion.
Trump’s willingness to discuss concessions with Moscow has unsettled NATO allies, with some openly questioning the reliability of U.S. security commitments to Europe.
Meetings between American, Ukrainian, and Russian representatives will continue this week. The Kremlin confirmed that U.S. officials would visit Russia for further negotiations, though details remain undisclosed.
Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, described the discussions as productive but did not clarify how the issue of territorial concessions would be handled. He stated that Putin shared Trump’s desire to end the war and described his recent meeting with Putin as focused on finding solutions. He expressed confidence that a temporary halt to fighting could be reached within weeks.
Putin hinted at restoring U.S.-Russia relations, stating that ties were practically destroyed by the previous American administration. However, he suggested that the situation was beginning to change under Trump’s leadership. He noted that progress was being made and indicated that further developments would be seen soon.
SOURCE :- CNN
