The Kremlin mentioned on Monday that work was underway to organize the second telephone name between President Vladimir V. Putin and President Trump however refused to reveal what shall be on the agenda, as American officers continued to mission optimism a few U.S.-backed cease-fire take care of Ukraine.
The extremely anticipated telephone name, scheduled for Tuesday, would be the first identified dialog between the 2 leaders since Mr. Putin laid out quite a few situations for a cease-fire that would delay or derail any truce.
Talking aboard Air Drive One on Sunday night, Mr. Trump mentioned that he anticipated to debate territorial points with Mr. Putin in addition to the destiny of Ukrainian energy crops. He additionally famous that there had already been discussions about “dividing up sure belongings.”
“We need to see if we will deliver that battle to an finish,” Mr. Trump mentioned. “Perhaps we will. Perhaps we will’t, however I believe we’ve got an excellent probability.”
The Kremlin’s spokesman confirmed at a briefing on Monday {that a} name was anticipated to happen the next day. When requested whether or not Ukrainian nuclear energy crops can be mentioned, the spokesman, Dmitri S. Peskov, mentioned that in Moscow’s “opinion the contents of conversations between the 2 leaders can’t be mentioned a priori.”
“That’s the reason we is not going to try this,” he mentioned.
In current weeks, Russia and the US have engaged in tightrope bargaining over the battle in Ukraine that Mr. Putin began greater than three years in the past. Ukraine has agreed to assist a U.S.-backed monthlong cease-fire, so long as Russia does the identical.
Whereas Mr. Trump has unequivocally showcased his want to obtain some form of truce as shortly as attainable, Mr. Putin appears to be looking for to use the second to win extra concessions.
Talking in regards to the proposal for a 30-day cease-fire final week, Mr. Putin mentioned the thought was “the fitting one and we positively assist it.”
“However there are questions that we have to focus on, and I believe that we have to discuss them by way of with our American colleagues and companions,” he informed a information convention.
These remarks got here simply earlier than Mr. Putin met with Steve Witkoff, who serves as Mr. Trump’s particular envoy to the Center East. However he has been concerned within the peace talks over Ukraine and different discussions about restoring ties between Moscow and Washington.
Mr. Witkoff informed CNN on Sunday that his assembly with Russia’s chief had lasted three to 4 hours. He declined to share the specifics of their dialog, however mentioned it went properly and that the 2 sides had “narrowed the variations between them.”
Moscow’s push to drive out Ukrainian troops from most of the Kursk region of Russia in current days has disadvantaged Kyiv of an vital bargaining chip in any potential negotiations. Mr. Putin now seems to be utilizing the Ukrainian retreat in Kursk to attempt to strengthen his hand in talks with the Trump administration about pausing the hostilities.
Tyler Pager contributed reporting.
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