Trump and Putin aim to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine by Easter or May 9 – FT
Photo: US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin (RBC-Ukraine collage)
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are reportedly aiming to achieve a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia by Easter (April 20) or by May 9, according to the Financial Times.
According to the media outlet, unnamed Western and Ukrainian officials revealed information about Trump and Putin’s plans for a ceasefire by April 20 or May 9.
A Ukrainian official told FT that Putin would want to make a deal on such a symbolic day.
Journalists note that Trump’s eagerness to quickly end Russia’s war against Ukraine has "blindsided" Kyiv. Ukrainian officials had hoped to persuade Trump to develop a common position on engaging Russia in negotiations and had even offered access to rare earth metals.
Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak told FT that establishing close ties with Trump’s team has been challenging and acknowledged that "it will take time" before they can build the same relationships they had with members of Joe Biden’s administration.
However, for now, the outlet notes that Ukraine and Europe fear the US might strike an unfavorable deal with Russia.
Trump's conversation with Putin
Yesterday, on February 12, US President Donald Trump held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin that lasted nearly an hour and a half.
The two leaders discussed, among other things, Russia’s war against Ukraine. According to Trump, Putin agreed with him on the need to "stop millions of deaths" caused by the war.
