Washington, D.C., March 17, 2025 – The Europe Today: Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to engage in direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, with the objective of negotiating an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The announcement was made during a briefing aboard Air Force One on Sunday evening, where Trump conveyed optimism regarding the potential for diplomatic progress.
“We want to see if we can bring that war to an end,” Trump stated, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the protracted conflict, which has now entered its third year. The war has resulted in significant casualties and territorial disputes, with Russia maintaining control over substantial areas of Ukraine.
According to Trump, the discussions will focus on key issues, including land distribution and the management of critical infrastructure, particularly power plants. He referred to the process as “dividing up certain assets,” signaling a potential reconfiguration of territorial control as part of the negotiations.
In the lead-up to the scheduled talks, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff recently visited Moscow and held discussions with President Putin. Witkoff reported positive developments and a mutual willingness to engage in ceasefire negotiations, raising hopes for a comprehensive agreement to halt hostilities and establish a framework for long-term peace.
However, Trump’s initiative has been met with skepticism from European allies, who remain cautious about his longstanding rapport with Putin and his recent critical stance toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Concerns have been raised over the possibility of Ukraine being sidelined in negotiations that could significantly impact its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The international community now turns its attention to Tuesday’s conversation, closely monitoring whether it will lead to meaningful steps toward de-escalation and regional stability.
