Trump-Putin Talks: Key Issues in Ukraine Ceasefire

Key Issues in Trump-Putin Talks on Ukraine Ceasefire

March 18, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that significant progress has been made toward a peace agreement in Ukraine, with key elements already agreed upon by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump made the statement ahead of a scheduled phone conversation with Putin on Tuesday morning.

Posting on Truth Social, Trump confirmed the planned discussion but acknowledged that while some agreements are in place, many aspects remain unresolved.

"Every week, 2,500 soldiers from both sides lose their lives. This must end now. I anticipate substantial progress in my conversation with President Putin," Trump wrote.

Addressing reporters earlier, he remarked, "We will see if we can establish a peace deal, a ceasefire, and stability, and I believe we can achieve that."

Ukraine’s Response and Western Reactions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Putin of prolonging the conflict.

"This ceasefire proposal could have been implemented a long time ago," Zelensky stated in a Monday night address. "The longer the war continues, the more lives are lost."

There has been little transparency from the Trump administration regarding the details of the ceasefire negotiations. Following a meeting in Jeddah with Ukrainian officials, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio referenced the negotiation process but refrained from revealing specific terms.

Steve Witkoff, the U.S. envoy who met with Putin last Thursday in Moscow, also provided no details about the agreement’s provisions.

Meanwhile, the UK and France have urged Putin to demonstrate his commitment to a peace deal. French President Emmanuel Macron commended Zelensky’s willingness to accept a ceasefire and called on Russia to reciprocate.

"The loss of life is immense. Enough destruction has occurred. Hostilities must end," Macron posted on X.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy echoed this sentiment, insisting that Putin must agree to an "immediate and unconditional ceasefire." Addressing Parliament, Lammy said there was "no indication" that Putin was serious about a peace deal, warning that the UK and its allies had the capacity to pressure Russia into meaningful negotiations.

The White House issued a more optimistic statement, suggesting that peace in Ukraine "is now within reach." White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Monday that Trump is "determined" to broker a peace agreement.

Four Key Topics in Trump-Putin Talks

1. A 30-Day Ceasefire

A proposal for a 30-day cessation of hostilities was discussed by Ukrainian and U.S. delegates in Saudi Arabia last week. After extensive deliberations, Ukraine announced its willingness to accept the ceasefire.

According to Reuters, Trump has been working to secure Putin’s support for the temporary ceasefire. However, despite these efforts, both Russian and Ukrainian forces continued intense aerial strikes on Monday morning.

Macron and Canadian Prime Minister-designate Mark Carney reiterated their unwavering support for Ukraine and called for "clear commitments" from Russia during a meeting on Tuesday.

2. Control of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant

Washington has been in discussions with Ukraine regarding control of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant as part of a potential peace deal. Trump disclosed on March 13 that negotiations had included this issue.

White House Press Secretary Leavitt noted, "There is a power facility on the Russia-Ukraine border, and this will be a topic in Trump’s call with Putin."

Zaporizhzhia, Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, located in Enerhodar, has been under Russian control since 2022. Although the facility is not currently operational, it remains a focal point of international concern due to repeated power outages caused by Russian strikes on Ukraine’s grid.

Ukraine and its allies have consistently demanded Russia withdraw its troops from the plant, citing safety risks.

3. Territorial Disputes

Asked on Sunday about key negotiation topics, Trump responded, "We will discuss land. There will be discussions about power facilities."

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on the specifics of the discussions.

While Putin has previously expressed support for a ceasefire, he has also outlined stringent conditions for peace. One of the contentious areas is the western Russian region of Kursk, which Ukraine invaded in August 2024, temporarily seizing some territories.

Russia launched counteroffensives and recently regained full control of the area, with Putin asserting its complete reintegration into Russian governance.

U.S. National Security Advisor Michael Waltz was asked on ABC whether the U.S. would endorse a peace deal allowing Russia to retain occupied Ukrainian territory.

"There is a real opportunity to end the war following Kyiv’s acceptance of the ceasefire proposal," Waltz said. "However, Ukraine’s sovereignty is non-negotiable. Russia must relinquish occupied land."

Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and currently controls vast sections of four eastern Ukrainian regions after its full-scale invasion in 2022.

4. NATO Troop Presence

Another critical issue is the implementation and enforcement of any ceasefire, with Putin adamant that NATO forces must not be involved.

Russia is expected to demand assurances that NATO will block Ukraine’s accession to the alliance and that Kyiv remains neutral. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told the Russian newspaper Izvestia on Monday that such guarantees would be necessary for any agreement.

Putin has repeatedly justified military actions in Ukraine as measures to protect Russia’s national security from what he claims is Western aggression, particularly NATO’s eastward expansion.

As Trump and Putin prepare for their high-stakes conversation, global attention remains on whether these negotiations will lead to meaningful progress toward ending the conflict.