Donald Trump is set to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin today in what the White House describes as a significant step towards a potential peace deal in Ukraine. Trump announced the call on his social media platform, Truth Social, expressing optimism about the discussions. He stated that many aspects of a final agreement have been reached, but acknowledged that there is still much to be decided.
In his message, Trump highlighted the urgent need to end the ongoing conflict, noting that thousands of soldiers are dying each week. He mentioned that the current death toll stands at around 2,500 soldiers from both sides weekly, emphasizing that the fighting must stop immediately.
While traveling on Air Force One, Trump shared with reporters that key topics for the conversation include land and power plants, which are crucial elements in the discussions to end the war. This call comes on the heels of recent talks in Saudi Arabia, where U.S. and Ukrainian officials met to discuss the situation in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that Ukraine would consider a 30-day ceasefire if Russia agrees to it as well.
Putin has expressed that he is open to ending the fighting in Ukraine but has also pointed out that there are still many unresolved issues regarding the proposed ceasefire. He has engaged with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss the finer details of the potential agreement.
As the situation develops, Ukraine’s air defense units reported successfully shooting down 90 out of 174 drones launched by Russia in a recent attack. The ongoing assaults have targeted the Odesa region, causing damage to civilian infrastructure, including a kindergarten and residential areas, resulting in injuries to civilians.
In a separate announcement, Trump also stated that he is revoking Secret Service protection for Joe Biden’s children, claiming that numerous agents were assigned to their security while they were in South Africa. This move adds another layer of controversy to Trump’s ongoing political narrative.
As the phone call between Trump and Putin approaches, many are watching closely to see if it will lead to meaningful progress in the quest for peace in Ukraine.