Negotiations to end the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war are progressing, with discussions already covering the division of key assets, according to U.S. President Donald Trump.
He announced plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, March 18, in a bid to accelerate the peace process.
Trump’s statement follows his recent announcement that Ukraine had accepted a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire, shifting the focus to Russia’s response.
“We’re doing pretty well, I think, with Russia. We’ll see if we have something to announce maybe by Tuesday,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One.
As part of the ongoing peace talks, discussions have already delved into territorial matters and infrastructure.
“We’ll be talking about land. A lot of land is a lot different than it was before the war, as you know,” Trump said. “We’ll be talking about power plants, that’s a big question.”
The war, which escalated into a full-scale invasion in 2022, has led to Ukraine losing control of approximately 11% of its land.
“We’re already talking about that dividing up certain assets,” Trump added, signaling potential compromises from both sides.
Although Putin acknowledged the U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal, his response was not straightforward.
He stated that Russia agreed with the plan in theory but insisted on conditions before fully committing.
These conditions included concessions from Ukraine and continued claims that Kyiv’s government was a key factor in the war’s origins.
Russia initially seized parts of Ukraine in 2014 before launching its full-scale invasion in 2022, marking Europe’s most significant land conflict since World War II.
While American officials suggest that territorial compromises may be necessary, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has consistently rejected such proposals.
Trump’s approach to the negotiations, particularly his willingness to discuss concessions, has raised concerns among European leaders.
Many fear that making territorial compromises could be seen as rewarding Russia’s aggression.
Additionally, NATO allies are increasingly questioning whether the U.S. remains a reliable security partner.
Meanwhile, Putin has expressed optimism about relations with the Trump administration, contrasting them with what he described as strained ties under the previous U.S. government.
“Overall, the situation is starting to move,” he stated. “Let’s see what comes out of this.”
Trump’s efforts to bring the war to an end are gaining momentum.
“A lot of work’s been done over the weekend, we want to see if we can bring that war to an end,” he said.
“Maybe we can, maybe we can’t, but I think we have a very good chance.”
As the world watches, the upcoming talks between Trump and Putin could mark a significant step toward peace.
