U.S. President Donald Trump has promised to announce new developments regarding a potential ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war on Monday.
This follows reports that U.S. and Ukrainian officials reached a preliminary agreement in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on a 30-day cessation of hostilities. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has since introduced conditions that complicate the implementation of any such agreement.
Among Moscow’s demands are the surrender of Ukrainian troops currently positioned in the Russian-occupied Kursk region, a suspension of Ukrainian mobilisation efforts, and a halt to military aid from Western allies during the ceasefire period.
These preconditions have raised concerns in Kyiv and among Ukraine’s international supporters, who fear they could weaken Ukraine’s defensive capabilities while allowing Russia to regroup.
Trump’s Envoy Meets Resistance in Moscow
Trump’s special representative, Steve Witkoff, travelled to Moscow for discussions on the potential ceasefire but reportedly faced delays before being granted an audience with the Russian president. According to sources, Putin kept Witkoff waiting in his reception area for eight hours before engaging in discussions.
Details of their talks remain undisclosed, but Trump later characterised the negotiations as “productive” and spoke of “very good calls with Moscow” while addressing the U.S. Department of Justice. However, he also acknowledged that the situation remains “very complex.”
The meeting between Witkoff and Putin was expected to be followed by a direct conversation between Trump and the Russian leader. The White House initially scheduled this exchange for Friday, but the anticipated dialogue did not take place.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov later confirmed that both sides agreed on the importance of direct communication between their presidents, though no new date has been announced.
Uncertain Path Forward
The breakdown in scheduled talks underscores the difficulties in achieving a negotiated ceasefire. Trump, who previously claimed he could end the war in 24 hours, now appears to be reassessing his approach.
During his presidential campaign, he suggested that he would swiftly broker peace between Russia and Ukraine, but he has since downplayed those remarks, referring to them as “sarcasm.”
With his latest efforts stalling, Trump is left with limited options: he can either apply stronger diplomatic pressure on Russia to agree to a balanced ceasefire or attempt to persuade Ukraine to accept terms that may be seen as a de facto capitulation.
The latter option, however, presents significant obstacles. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has maintained that any agreement that undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty or concedes territory to Russia is unacceptable.
Additionally, suspending military aid could embolden Russia to break the ceasefire at will, launching a new offensive when strategically advantageous.
Strategic Missteps?
Trump’s diplomatic manoeuvres suggest a reluctance to exert direct pressure on Russia. Instead, his approach appears to involve encouraging Ukraine to make concessions.
His administration’s decision to freeze certain military aid packages in recent weeks has further fuelled speculation that he is willing to leverage Ukraine’s defence needs to secure negotiations with Russia.
Moreover, Trump’s recent statement alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, in which he declared that Ukraine’s NATO membership is “no longer under discussion,” has raised eyebrows in European capitals.
While Trump cannot unilaterally determine NATO’s policies, his willingness to make such a declaration before formal negotiations with Putin has led critics to question whether he is pre-emptively accommodating Russian demands.
A Deadlock with No Clear Resolution
If Trump’s strategy was to create momentum towards a ceasefire, it appears to have reached an impasse. The absence of a confirmed presidential call between Trump and Putin suggests that fundamental disagreements remain unresolved.
Furthermore, the conditions imposed by Moscow effectively limit Kyiv’s military options without securing concrete commitments from Russia.
As the situation stands, Trump faces a political dilemma: either acknowledge that his approach to resolving the war has faltered or continue pushing for a ceasefire on terms that Ukraine and its allies are unlikely to accept. Given his reluctance to admit miscalculations, the latter seems more probable.
For now, Trump’s much-anticipated “big news” on Monday may not bring the breakthrough he initially envisioned. Instead, it could highlight the broader difficulties of negotiating with Russia while maintaining Western support for Ukraine.
With the war continuing and no immediate resolution in sight, the U.S. president’s diplomatic efforts may be heading towards a strategic dead end.
Read also:
Putin’s Conditions for Ceasefire: A Path to Peace or a Tactical Trap?
