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DONALD TRUMP HAS said there is “a very good chance” that the war in Ukraine could end as he hailed “good and productive discussions” between the US and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
However, the US President said he had personally urged his Russian counterpart to “spare” thousands of Ukrainian troops who he said are “completely surrounded” by Moscow’s forces.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said: “We had very good and productive discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday, and there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end.
“But, at this very moment, thousands of Ukrainian troops are completely surrounded by the Russian military, and in a very bad and vulnerable position. I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared,” he continued.
“This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II. God bless them all.”
Military analysts have said the claim of a mass encirclement of Ukrainian troops is not accurate.
It comes after the Kremlin said it was “cautiously optimistic” about a ceasefire deal with Ukraine following negotiations with US envoy Steve Witkoff.
Moscow made the announcement upon conclusion of the talks, stating that it expects Putin and Trump to discuss a US-proposed ceasefire, but not until Witkoff arrives back in Washington to relay Putin’s thoughts.
“When Mr Witkoff brings all the information to President Trump, we will determine the timing of a conversation (between Trump and Putin),” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
“There is an understanding on all sides that such a conversation is needed. There are reasons to be cautiously optimistic,” Peskov added.
Putin said yesterday that he backed the idea of a truce with Ukraine, but said “serious questions” remain over how it would be implemented.
“I think we need to talk to our American colleagues… Maybe have a telephone call with President Trump and discuss this with him.”
However, the Russian President expressed a major grievance in relation to Ukraine’s geopolitical position, citing long-held concerns: “We agree with proposals to cease hostilities, but on the basis that cessation would lead to long-term peace and address the root causes of the crisis.”
It is not clear exactly what “root causes” Putin was referencing, but he has historically been a vehement opponent of the expansion of Nato along Russia’s borders, with the military alliance having said it was open to Ukrainian membership “in the long term”.
The issue of Nato expansion has been exacerbated in recent years after Finland and Sweden joined its ranks since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, adding doubts to whether a ceasefire deal incorporating any Western peacekeeper presence in the region would be acceptable to the Russian leader.
The joint Ukrainian-US peace plan envisages a 30-day interim ceasefire in the three-year conflict that could be extended by mutual agreement.
However, the Russian President’s approach to achieving peace is not viewed positively by all.
UK foreign secretary David Lammy said it would be “wrong” for Vladimir Putin to place conditions on a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
He was responding to Putin’s claim yesterday that the idea of a ceasefire is good, but that “there are issues that we need to discuss, and I think that we need to discuss it with our American colleagues and partners”.
Russia has been making military gains in recent weeks, particularly in retaking sections of Kursk.
Much of the region fell to Ukraine after it launched a shock counter-offensive last August, but Russia has claimed to have reclaimed more than 20 settlements in the last number of day.
Putin himself made a surprise visit to the frontline on Wednesday to urge his troops on.
Discussing the proposals for peace, Lammy, who is meeting other G7 foreign affairs ministers in Canada, said there is an “opportunity” for “a just and lasting peace” in Ukraine.
“The US and Ukraine have called for a full, immediate and unconditional 30-day ceasefire,” he told The Mirror.
“This would be a first step so that talks can start on a full settlement that protects Ukraine’s security and sovereignty. President Zelenskyy has shown that Ukraine is the party of peace.”
He then added: “It would be wrong for Putin to lay conditions. Our support for Ukraine, and that of other partners, remains ironclad.”
Putin and his allies have suggested Ukraine wants the ceasefire to allow its forces to regroup and rearm at a time when they are on the back foot and being forced out of the Kursk region after their incursion into Russian territory.
Putin said he was “for” the proposal of a 30-day ceasefire “but that there are nuances” and that he had “serious questions” about how it would work.
“I think we need to talk to our American colleagues… Maybe have a phone call with President Trump and discuss this with him,” he told reporters.
Trump has said he would be happy to meet with Putin to discuss the details, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rebuked the Russian president’s response as “very manipulative”.
“We now have all heard from Russia Putin’s very predictable, very manipulative words in response to the idea of a ceasefire,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly address.
Downing Street has made clear the UK supports Donald Trump’s warnings of “very bad” financial consequences for Moscow if Putin fails to co-operate with peace talks.
Asked whether the UK would ramp up sanctions if the Kremlin rejected the ceasefire proposal, Downing Street said “ongoing US, UK and European pressure” would cripple Putin’s income streams.
“President Trump’s leadership to suffocate Russia’s economy is welcome,” a Number 10 spokesman said.
After G7 talks conclude today, British prime minister Keir Starmer will convene a summit of the “coalition of the willing” tomorrow.
Starmer said on yesteday that a peace deal in Ukraine is needed to ensure the Russian president’s war does not maintain a “choke hold” on Europe and stressed the need to deter him from attempting to conquer his neighbour again.
He said: “I profoundly believe that if we don’t secure a just peace and a lasting peace, then that insecurity, which we’ve already felt, will continue.
“And that means, here, higher prices, higher bills, the cost-of-living crisis going on for even longer – if you like, a choke hold on our future, which will be much, much harder for us to tackle.”
With additional reporting from AFP, Keith Kelly and Jane Moore.
Want to know more about what’s happening in Ukraine and why? Check out our FactCheck Knowledge Bank for essential reads and guides to finding good information online.
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