**US President Plans Call with Putin to Discuss Ukraine War**
US President Donald Trump has announced plans for a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 18. The goal of the call is to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.
Trump made the announcement on Air Force One, saying “I’ll be speaking to President Putin on Tuesday. A lot of work’s been done over the weekend.” This planned call follows US-led negotiations in Saudi Arabia, where Washington proposed a 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
**Ceasefire Talks**
The proposed ceasefire has been met with skepticism by European allies and Ukraine. They worry that a rushed agreement without security guarantees could fail to bring lasting peace. The talks would include discussions on territorial matters and power plants.
“We want to see if we can bring that war to an end. Maybe we can, maybe we can’t, but I think we have a very good chance,” Trump said.
**Previous Negotiations**
In previous negotiations, Russia had demanded guarantees that Ukraine would not mobilize troops, conduct training, or receive military assistance during the truce. This made it potentially vulnerable to renewed Russian aggression.
US Special Representative Steve Witkoff traveled to Moscow to discuss the proposal with Putin. He reportedly signaled openness to the US plan.
**Current Situation**
The war in Ukraine has been ongoing for four years. Russia’s army is advancing on all fronts, and a ceasefire could be seen as a way to allow Ukraine to strengthen its position.
Lithuania allocates 2.85% of its GDP to defense, making it one of Europe’s top defense spenders. Turkey has positioned itself as a potential mediator in the conflict.
**Next Steps**
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that his country is preparing for the next meeting of the Ukrainian Defense Contact Group (UDCG). He also emphasized the importance of security guarantees in any ceasefire agreement.
The proposed contingent of allied forces to be sent to Ukraine includes around 10,000 troops, mostly provided by the UK and France. Thirty-five countries would assist with weapons, logistics, and intelligence support.
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