US president’s team reportedly insists that any further engagement should hinge on a full ceasefire in Ukraine
US President Donald Trump’s inner circle is advising against another call with Russian President Vladimir Putin unless Moscow first agrees to a complete ceasefire in Ukraine, NBC News reported Thursday, citing two anonymous officials.
Trump has expressed his intent to speak with Putin again—possibly as soon as this week—following their previous conversation on March 18. The US president, who is actively working to broker a peace deal between Moscow and Kiev after more than three years of hostilities, claimed on Tuesday that both Putin and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky are “ready to make a deal” due to his mediation efforts.
While Putin has signaled support for a suspension of hostilities, he has raised concerns over the conditions of such an agreement. The Russian leader has suggested a ceasefire could be achieved if the US guarantees comprehensive monitoring along the frontline and if Kiev halts its mobilization efforts.
During his last call with Trump, Putin reportedly agreed to a moratorium on strikes targeting energy infrastructure, a move that Zelensky also publicly endorsed. However, since then, Russia’s Defense Ministry has accused Ukrainian forces of violating the partial ceasefire, including attacks on foreign-owned infrastructure within Russian territory. Moscow has insisted it remains committed to the agreement.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated on Friday that no new contact between Trump and Putin is scheduled in the immediate future, dismissing the NBC report as speculation and cautioning against misinformation in the media.
Meanwhile, Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev—who advises Putin on international economic affairs—visited Washington this week for discussions with White House officials. Following the talks, Dmitriev suggested progress was being made toward resolving the Ukraine conflict but warned that external actors were attempting to derail Trump’s efforts to restore US-Russia relations. The US president first reached out to Putin in February upon taking office.
According to Politico, officials in the UK and Germany expect a third Trump-Putin call in the coming days, following Dmitriev’s visit.
Here are some sources related to the article:
- Reuters reported that U.S. President Donald Trump’s advisers are counseling him against engaging in a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin until Putin commits to a full ceasefire in Ukraine. Reuters+1Reuters+1
- Following discussions between Putin’s envoy and U.S. officials, the Kremlin stated that there are no immediate plans for a phone conversation between Putin and Trump. Reuters
- Politico reported that Western officials are debating whether and how to engage with Russian counterparts amid ongoing global tensions, especially in light of recent diplomacy between Trump and Putin. Politico
- In February, Politico also reported that Trump and Putin had a phone conversation agreeing to work closely on a diplomatic resolution to end the war in Ukraine. Politico
These sources provide insights into the ongoing diplomatic efforts and internal discussions within the U.S. administration regarding engagement with Russia over the Ukraine conflict.
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