According to the reports on Monday (17 March), U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that he plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday (18 March), with the aim of negotiating a ceasefire and peace in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Trump mentioned the discussions would focus on the potential for ending the war and stressed that significant work had already been done over the weekend to prepare for the talks. While expressing optimism, Trump acknowledged that achieving a resolution might not be certain but believed they had a good chance of success.
One of the primary goals of the talks will be to gain Putin’s support for a 30-day ceasefire proposal that Ukraine had agreed to the previous week. Despite ongoing aerial strikes between both sides and Russia’s continued advances in the Kursk region, Trump hopes to create a window for peace. Additionally, the discussions will cover contentious issues, including land and power plants, with both sides reportedly having already engaged in talks about dividing specific assets.
Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, also mentioned that Putin had accepted the general philosophy behind the ceasefire and peace terms proposed by the U.S. Witkoff described the talks with Putin as positive and solution-focused, but he refrained from confirming the specific demands Putin might have. These include the possible surrender of Ukrainian forces in Kursk, international recognition of Russian-occupied territory, restrictions on Ukraine’s military mobilization, and an end to Western military aid.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military continues to face heavy drone attacks from Russia, with the port city of Odessa being a frequent target. Ukrainian forces reported shooting down 90 of 174 drones launched overnight, although one civilian was injured in the strikes. In addition, a residential home, a kindergarten, and the local electricity grid in Odessa were damaged, resulting in power outages for around 500 residents. Despite these challenges, Ukraine remains focused on defending its territories while international efforts for peace continue.
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