The United States and Russia have held what President Donald Trump described as “good and productive” talks regarding a ceasefire in Ukraine, raising cautious optimism that the war could finally come to an end. Trump expressed confidence on his Truth Social platform, stating that the discussions offered “a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end.”
The talks took place in Moscow between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US envoy Steve Witkoff, with the Kremlin acknowledging a sense of “cautious optimism” in the peace process. However, challenges remain, as Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Putin of deliberately prolonging negotiations while continuing military aggression.
Earlier this week, Ukraine accepted a US-proposed ceasefire deal, but Russia has yet to formally agree. Putin acknowledged that a ceasefire was “right and we support it… but there are nuances,” adding a series of conditions that Kyiv and Western leaders have deemed “manipulative.” Zelensky responded by accusing Putin of attempting to sabotage diplomatic efforts and delay peace through prolonged negotiations.
Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer criticized Russia’s “complete disregard” for Trump’s ceasefire proposal, insisting that Putin was “not serious about peace.” He emphasized the need for international monitoring of any potential ceasefire to ensure it leads to “serious and enduring peace.” Starmer also announced plans to convene a virtual meeting with up to 25 world leaders to discuss peacekeeping strategies should a ceasefire be achieved.
Trump has urged Putin to spare the lives of Ukrainian troops reportedly surrounded by Russian forces in Kursk, warning that failure to do so would result in “a horrible massacre not seen since World War Two.” However, Ukraine’s armed forces denied claims of encirclement, asserting that their troops had successfully regrouped in better defensive positions.
As the G7 foreign ministers met in Quebec, Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly reaffirmed support for the US-proposed ceasefire, stating, “the ball is now in Russia’s court.” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that negotiations remain the only viable path to ending the war, underscoring that foreign policy decisions should not be dictated by social media statements.
While the diplomatic efforts mark a significant step forward, the road to peace remains uncertain, with Russia’s next moves being pivotal in determining the outcome of the conflict.
