President Donald Trump announced plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, adding that many aspects of a “Final Agreement” between Russia and Ukraine have been agreed upon, “but much remains.”
Newsweek reached out to the State Department via email for comment Monday night.
Why It Matters
Since taking office, Trump has initiated sweeping change mainly via executive order. The administration last week announced that it had carved out a 30-day ceasefire agreement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Trump’s seemingly affable relationship with Putin has been worrisome to many Americans, with concerns intensifying after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Responding to the ceasefire news, Putin agreed in principle with the proposition, but highlighted the need for an agreement to address the root causes of the conflict and ultimately lead to peace.
What To Know
In a post to Truth Social on Monday night, Trump said: “Tomorrow morning I will be speaking to President Putin concerning the War in Ukraine. Many elements of a Final Agreement have been agreed to, but much remains. Thousands of young soldiers, and others, are being killed. Each week brings 2,500 soldier deaths, from both sides, and it must end NOW. I look very much forward to the call with President Putin.”
This follows Trump’s comments from Air Force One on Sunday night announcing the call. All details of the agreement were not immediately known at the time of publication.
Foreign policy analysts remain uncertain if Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire agreement last week would be executed with Putin making concessions.
Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia, told Newsweek via email last week that he believed Ukraine was pressured to agree to the ceasefire deal.
“Trump pressured Ukraine to sign a ceasefire by cutting military aid and intelligence assistance,” McFaul said. “Simultaneously, he has given Putin all sorts of concessions—Ukrainian land, no NATO membership for Ukraine, no US in Ukraine as peacekeepers, hints of lifting sanctions, votes with Russia at UN—without getting anything in return yet. I have seen no evidence that Trump has pressured Putin to give up anything yet.”
What People Are Saying
Zelensky posted to X on Monday: “Tomorrow marks one week since the U.S. proposal for a ceasefire in the sky, at sea, and on the front lines has been on the table. The implementation of this proposal could have begun long ago. Every day in wartime is a matter of human lives.
Now, almost a week later, it’s clear to everyone in the world—even to those who refused to acknowledge the truth for the past three years—that it is Putin who continues to drag out this war. For a week now, Putin has been unable to squeeze out ‘yes’ to the ceasefire proposal. He’s saying whatever he wants, but not what the whole world wants to hear.”
Zelensky concluded: “The unconditional ceasefire proposal is essentially about saving lives, allowing diplomats to work on ensuring security and a lasting peace—the proposal that Russia is ignoring. Pressure is needed to finally make Moscow accept that their war must be brought to an end.”
Ron Filipkowski, vocal Trump critic and editor-in-chief of Meidas Touch, on X Monday: “Trump repeats the blatant lie today that Russia has a Ukrainian army surrounded in Kursk, but claims he is going to save them when he talks to Putin tomorrow. Trump will be the hero of Putin’s made-up story.”
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina posted to X on Sunday: “There is only one person capable of ending the war in Ukraine: @realDonaldTrump. If Putin is playing President Trump, he will regret it.”
What Happens Next
Trump said in his post Monday night that the call with Putin will be held in the morning on Tuesday.
Update 3/17/25, 9:30 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.