Trump’s team silent on how to prevent Russia from breaking ceasefire
Photo: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt (Getty Images)
The White House declined to confirm whether the Trump administration has any enforcement mechanisms in place in case Russia violates the proposed ceasefire with Ukraine. It is also unclear whether Trump will speak with Putin over the phone this week, according to CNN.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt refused to answer journalists' questions about whether the US has leverage over Russia, calling it a "hypothetical" situation since "we`re not there yet."
“The current state of play is that the Ukrainians have agreed to a ceasefire, the Ukrainians have agreed to the peace plan that was put on the table yesterday in Saudi Arabia by the secretary of state and our national security adviser, whom I just spoke with before coming out here,” she said.
Leavitt stated that National Security Advisor Mike Waltz had spoken with his Russian counterpart earlier on Wednesday. She also mentioned that Middle East Ambassador Steve Witkoff is traveling to Moscow this week to urge Russia to join the plan.
She described the state of negotiations as being “on the tenth-yard line of peace” and said it is now “up to the Russians to agree to this plan.”
However, Leavitt refused to comment on whether President Donald Trump plans to call Russian President Vladimir Putin to directly pressure him into adhering to the ceasefire.
“I don’t have a readout on the president’s calls, but as the president always does, if that call happens, he will let you guys know,” Leavitt said.
Asked if he planned to speak with Putin this week to discuss the ceasefire proposal, Trump told reporters at the White House on Tuesday, “I think so, yes.”
US-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia
On Tuesday, March 11, high-level talks were held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between delegations from the US and Ukraine regarding the resolution of the war.
The parties agreed on several issues, including Ukraine accepting the US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, contingent on Russia’s adherence.
Following the meeting, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, "Now the ball is in Putin's court."
This week, US Special Representative for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will visit Moscow to negotiate with Russian authorities on accepting the proposed ceasefire.
For more details on the 30-day ceasefire agreed upon by the US and Ukraine, proceed with the full article by RBC-Ukraine.
