President Donald Trump expressed optimism that US negotiators could help secure a ceasefire in the ongoing Ukraine war, despite new aerial attacks launched by Kyiv and Moscow. The United States is pushing for Russia to agree to an unconditional halt to hostilities, according to officials on Wednesday.
The Kremlin stated it was waiting for details on a US-Ukrainian proposal agreed upon this week but gave no indication of its willingness to end the conflict, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives over the past three years. Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin visited Russian troops who have made advances against Ukrainian forces attempting to retain territory seized by Russia during last year’s offensive.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his country’s readiness to consider a deal, and the United States signaled it would take a strong stance if Putin rejects an agreement.
“People are going to Russia right now as we speak. And hopefully, we can get a ceasefire from Russia,” Trump said during a meeting with Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheál Martin in the Oval Office.
The White House also announced that Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, a mediator in both the Gaza and Ukraine conflicts, would be in Moscow this week. While Trump did not confirm whether he would speak directly with Putin, he noted that there had been “positive messages” from Moscow and added, “I hope he’s going to have a ceasefire.”
