Trump declares Monday a significant day for the Ukraine conflict
The U.S. president has expressed that he “knows” his Russian counterpart and believes talks are “going reasonably well.” U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that negotiations between Washington and Moscow concerning a proposed temporary ceasefire...
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The U.S. president has expressed that he “knows” his Russian counterpart and believes talks are “going reasonably well.”
U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that negotiations between Washington and Moscow concerning a proposed temporary ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict have been progressing “okay” thus far, anticipating positive developments soon.
Earlier this week, both Washington and Kyiv introduced a proposal for a 30-day truce. This initiative was presented to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff. Putin acknowledged Moscow’s openness to the proposal but emphasized that several issues must be resolved beforehand, including the situation of Ukrainian forces currently encircled in Russia’s Kursk Region.
In a sit-down interview with Sharyl Attkisson for Full Measure released on Friday, Trump refrained from confirming or denying direct communication with Putin about the initiative, describing it as a “very complex situation.”
Trump suggested that more information regarding a possible ceasefire in Ukraine will be available next Monday, March 17. When asked what actions might be taken if Russia refuses to cease fire, he remarked that "it would be bad news for the world."
“Well, I don’t want to say it, but we are dealing with him, and I think it’s going reasonably well,” Trump explained. “As you know, we have a ceasefire agreement with the Ukrainians. And we are trying to get that with Russia, too.”
He added, “Thus far, it’s gone okay. We’ll know a little bit more on Monday, and that’ll be hopefully good.”
Trump acknowledged a degree of “sarcasm” in his earlier assertion that he could resolve the Ukraine conflict within 24 hours, clarifying that he meant he wanted to “get it settled” and hoped for Putin’s support in his initiative.
“I think I know him pretty well, and I think he’s going to agree,” he stated.
Earlier that day, Trump urged Putin to spare the lives of the “thousands of Ukrainian troops” who are “completely surrounded” in the Kursk Region. Putin expressed that he is “sympathetic” to Trump’s request but noted it is ultimately up to Kyiv to order the troops to surrender.
“If they lay down their arms and surrender, [we] will guarantee them their lives and dignified treatment in accordance with international law and Russian legal norms,” Putin said. He emphasized, however, that the Ukrainian forces have committed “numerous crimes against civilians” during their incursion, which Russian law enforcement is addressing as “terrorism.”
Lucas Dupont contributed to this article for TROIB News
U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that negotiations between Washington and Moscow concerning a proposed temporary ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict have been progressing “okay” thus far, anticipating positive developments soon.
Earlier this week, both Washington and Kyiv introduced a proposal for a 30-day truce. This initiative was presented to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff. Putin acknowledged Moscow’s openness to the proposal but emphasized that several issues must be resolved beforehand, including the situation of Ukrainian forces currently encircled in Russia’s Kursk Region.
In a sit-down interview with Sharyl Attkisson for Full Measure released on Friday, Trump refrained from confirming or denying direct communication with Putin about the initiative, describing it as a “very complex situation.”
Trump suggested that more information regarding a possible ceasefire in Ukraine will be available next Monday, March 17. When asked what actions might be taken if Russia refuses to cease fire, he remarked that "it would be bad news for the world."
“Well, I don’t want to say it, but we are dealing with him, and I think it’s going reasonably well,” Trump explained. “As you know, we have a ceasefire agreement with the Ukrainians. And we are trying to get that with Russia, too.”
He added, “Thus far, it’s gone okay. We’ll know a little bit more on Monday, and that’ll be hopefully good.”
Trump acknowledged a degree of “sarcasm” in his earlier assertion that he could resolve the Ukraine conflict within 24 hours, clarifying that he meant he wanted to “get it settled” and hoped for Putin’s support in his initiative.
“I think I know him pretty well, and I think he’s going to agree,” he stated.
Earlier that day, Trump urged Putin to spare the lives of the “thousands of Ukrainian troops” who are “completely surrounded” in the Kursk Region. Putin expressed that he is “sympathetic” to Trump’s request but noted it is ultimately up to Kyiv to order the troops to surrender.
“If they lay down their arms and surrender, [we] will guarantee them their lives and dignified treatment in accordance with international law and Russian legal norms,” Putin said. He emphasized, however, that the Ukrainian forces have committed “numerous crimes against civilians” during their incursion, which Russian law enforcement is addressing as “terrorism.”
Lucas Dupont contributed to this article for TROIB News
