Russia and Trump Negotiate Ceasefire in Ukraine While Putin Expresses Doubts About Its Viability

• Russia: Trump confident in a ceasefire in Ukraine.
• Putin doubts its implementation.
• Zelensky accuses Russia.

Donald Trump is confident that Vladimir Putin will accept the ceasefire agreement in Ukraine and expects news this Monday.

«I think he will agree. I really believe that. I think I know him well enough, and he will agree,» said the former president in an interview with the program Full Measure.

If he does not accept, he added, it will be «bad news for the world because a lot of people are dying.»

Trump assured that the negotiation with Russia is progressing and highlighted Washington’s efforts to finalize the cessation of hostilities with Moscow.

Trump confident in resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine

«We will know a little more on Monday, and hopefully, it will be good,» said the Republican.

Before assuming his second term on January 20, Trump promised to end the conflict within his first 24 hours in office.

«I was being a bit sarcastic when I said that. What I mean is that I would like to resolve it, I think I will succeed,» he clarified.

The White House National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz, supported Trump and assured that he is the only leader capable of achieving peace in Ukraine.

«We know who we are dealing with on all sides, and we are going to do a job of diplomacy that will involve the carrot and stick strategy to get both parties to sit at the table, but also to resolve this in a way that is permanent and lasting,» he expressed on Fox News.

Last Thursday, a U.S. delegation led by the Middle East representative, Steve Witkoff, traveled to Moscow to discuss the proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with Putin.

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The agreement was negotiated in Saudi Arabia between Washington and Kiev, but the Kremlin maintains reservations about its implementation.

Putin said he favors the truce, although he noted problems in its implementation and verification, and expressed his intention to talk with Trump.

The former president avoided confirming whether the call had already occurred but noted that the negotiations «are going quite well.»

Witkoff advanced this Sunday that Trump and Putin will hold talks this week about the peace initiative driven by the United States.

«The two presidents will have good and positive conversations this week,» he assured on CNN.

The Trump envoy described the meeting as «beneficial» and emphasized the willingness of both parties to seek a peaceful solution.

«I think it shows that there is positive momentum, a willingness on the part of both countries, and also Ukraine, to move towards lasting peace,» he added.

He also expressed his confidence that Putin «accepts President Trump’s philosophy» about the end of the conflict and expects progress in the coming weeks.

The White House proposed an immediate 30-day ceasefire, an offer that the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, is willing to accept.

However, Putin was hesitant as he considered that the proposal does not address «the root causes of the conflict.»

For the Kremlin, this translates into NATO’s influence over Ukraine, a point that Russia considers crucial.

Zelensky accused Moscow of not wanting to end the war and warned that the Kremlin seeks to improve its military position before a cessation of hostilities.

«A ceasefire could have already begun, but Russia is doing everything possible to prevent it,» stated the Ukrainian president.

SOURCE: EFE / INFOBAE

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