President Trump’s recent “very good” call with Vladimir Putin may be leading to a potential breakthrough in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is demanding more transparency while drawing a clear red line on territorial concessions. Trump has made progress, but there’s still more to do.
At a glance:
• President Trump held a “very good” call with Russian President Vladimir Putin discussing a “Contract for Peace”
• Despite Putin reportedly agreeing to halt strikes on energy infrastructure, Russian forces launched 150 drone attacks immediately after the call
• Zelenskyy plans to speak with Trump and has established recognition of Russian-occupied territories as a clear “red line”
• US-Russia negotiating teams are scheduled to meet in Saudi Arabia this weekend to expand ceasefire efforts
• European allies remain skeptical of Putin’s intentions, with Germany’s Defense Minister accusing Putin of “playing a game”
Trump-Putin Call Shows Promise While Zelenskyy Demands Ukraine’s Involvement
President Donald Trump’s diplomatic efforts to end the Ukraine conflict gained momentum after a productive call with Russian President Vladimir Putin focused on a potential “Contract for Peace.” The conversation, described by Trump as “very good,” centered on implementing a ceasefire targeting energy and civilian infrastructure attacks. But Ukraine, so far, isn’t fully playing ball.
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz confirmed the positive development, stating: “I spoke today with my Russian counterpart Yuri Ushakov about President Trump’s efforts to end the war in Ukraine. We agreed our technical teams would meet in Riyadh in the coming days to focus on implementing and expanding the partial ceasefire President Trump secured from Russia.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is believed to have spoken to Trump after the Putin call, has expressed cautious optimism while firmly establishing Ukraine’s position. Zelenskyy emphasized that territories currently under Russian occupation remain Ukrainian, setting a clear boundary for any peace negotiations.
And those boundaries could be the thing that stops negotiations moving to the next step.
🚨ZELENSKY: NEGOTIATIONS POSSIBLE—BUT 'OCCUPIED TERRITORIES' ARE STILL THE RED LINE
“So far, the Russians are not showing that they're ready to finish the war. With regard to the Crimean territory, that would be one of the sensitive and complex issues in the future.
The red… https://t.co/KYAf6po8Mn pic.twitter.com/qeVjn4K1BG
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) March 19, 2025
And now, some are even saying that Ukraine has betrayed Trump after he negotiated a 30-day ceasefire.
Russia’s Actions Contradict Peace Talk Claims
After Zelenskyy continued its strikes against Russia, he claimed that he did so after Putin allegedly broke the deal. Despite Putin’s commitment to halt strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, Zelenskyy suggested Russia didn’t follow through.
“Even this night after Putin’s talk with President Trump, when Putin allegedly said he had given the order to stop strikes on the Ukrainian energy targets, 150 drones hit energy infrastructure, transport, unfortunately two hospitals,” Zelenskyy stated.
Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius supported Zelenskyy’s skepticism, noting, “We’ve seen that attacks on civilian infrastructure have not eased at all in the first night after this supposedly ground-breaking, great phone call.”
Trump advisor Steve Witkoff expressed optimism about a potential future meeting between Trump and Putin, stating: “You know, I can’t speak for them, but my best bet would be that it’s likely to happen. They have a great rapport together. They had a great rapport in the first Trump administration.”
But before that meeting takes place, Trump needs to ensure Russia and Ukraine are fully on board with the ceasefire. Right now, it seems like they may not be.
🇺🇸🇺🇦🇷🇺 TRUMP: UKRAINE PEACE TALKS TO DISCUSS “DIVIDING UP CERTAIN ASSETS”
Trump says negotiators in Washington and Moscow are discussing how to split up Ukraine’s land and power plants to end the war.
He plans to speak with Putin on Tuesday to push for a 30-day ceasefire, but… https://t.co/NuDC1oWP94 pic.twitter.com/1uABRvh20T
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) March 17, 2025
Ukraine’s Red Lines and Path Forward
Zelenskyy has been unequivocal about Ukraine’s stance on territorial concessions, declaring: “For us, the red line is the recognition of the Ukrainian temporarily occupied territories as Russian. We will not go for it.”
While the Kremlin has allegedly pushed for an end to Western military aid to Ukraine as a precondition for peace, Trump has denied discussing aid during his call with Putin.
“We didn’t talk about aid, actually,” Trump stated.
Things remain fluid and complex, but Trump just keeps plugging away at establishing a new deal between the two nations.
