• Trump admits he was sarcastic about ending the Ukraine war in 24 hours.
• US envoy Steve Witkoff anticipates positive discussions between Trump and Putin this week.
• A proposed 30-day ceasefire has been agreed upon by the US and Ukraine, pending Russia's approval.

President Donald Trump is preparing for discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin this week as the United States intensifies its efforts to mediate a ceasefire in the ongoing war in Ukraine. This anticipated conversation comes after Trump previously stated he could resolve the conflict within a day, a claim he later downplayed as being partially sarcastic during a recent interview. “What I really mean is I’d like to get it settled, and I think I’ll be successful,” Trump noted, indicating his belief in achieving progress.

Special envoy Steve Witkoff, who recently met with Putin in Moscow, expressed optimism regarding the upcoming talks, stating that “both presidents are going to have a really good and positive discussion this week.” Witkoff emphasized that Trump is the "ultimate decision-maker" in these negotiations, reflecting the weight of leadership in pushing for a resolution. The discussions may build on a previous agreement between the US and Ukraine proposing a 30-day ceasefire, contingent on Russia's cooperation.

Despite Putin's initial support for a ceasefire proposal, he has laid out strict conditions which have raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful resolution. Witkoff assured that the ongoing dialogue is demonstrating favorable signs of progress, noting that “I am really hopeful we are going to see some progress here.” These negotiations are critical as the Ukraine conflict has entered its third year since Russia's full-scale invasion began.

As negotiations continue, Witkoff remains optimistic about the potential for an agreement, stating that both sides show inclination toward ending hostilities. “I think those are all very, very good trends and hopefully inform on the possibility of a near-term peace agreement,” he declared while discussing his meetings in Moscow.

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