War

Trump’s efforts in vain: Russia refused to cease fire – RBC-Ukraine

Russia has rejected US President Donald Trump’s proposal for a complete ceasefire in Ukraine, and the Office of the President (OP) is already aware of this. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine media outlet, citing its own sources in the Office of the President, Komersant ukrainskyi reports.

“We are now clarifying the details at the team level and are ready to take the next steps together with our partners, but it must be together with our partners, because this is the only way it can be effective,” the media source said on condition of anonymity.

Russia-US talks on March 18: what is known about them

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin had a phone conversation about the ceasefire in Ukraine and US-Russian relations on Tuesday, March 18.

In a conversation that lasted more than an hour, the two leaders discussed a number of important geopolitical issues, focusing primarily on the war in Ukraine and the possibility of a negotiated ceasefire. The phone call was an important moment in the diplomatic effort, as it was the first direct communication between the two leaders since Trump’s return to the US presidency.

Ceasefire talks: a temporary pause or a path to lasting peace?

One of the main goals of the call was to agree on an unconditional, immediate 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine. President Trump has positioned himself as a negotiator capable of ending the war, and this conversation was seen as a crucial step in testing that claim.

During the discussion, Vladimir Putin noted that Russia would be open to a temporary ceasefire (note that as of 21:55 Kyiv time, the Russian armed forces had struck the energy sector of Sloviansk, Donetsk region) under certain conditions, in particular, if Ukraine agrees to “cease hostilities in the disputed territories.”

Putin also demanded that Western countries limit or even stop further military aid to Ukraine during the ceasefire period.

The White House has not yet confirmed whether the US will push Ukraine to accept these conditions, but Trump’s insistence on de-escalation suggests that he may be willing to make some compromises to secure a deal.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who remains adamant about refusing territorial concessions, reacted cautiously to the offer. His administration welcomed the prospect of a ceasefire but expressed doubts about Russia’s sincerity, citing Moscow’s repeated violations of previous agreements.

It is also known that Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not personally discuss his phone call to the Russian president with Donald Trump.

Moscow demands territorial concessions: which Ukrainian cities are under threat?

One of the most controversial aspects of the conversation between the two leaders was the potential for further territorial compromises. Trump, when asked about the call, said:

“I think we’re going to talk about land, a lot of land,” Trump said.

This statement worried Ukrainian officials and Western allies, as it left open the possibility that Washington could pressure Ukraine for territorial concessions.

Of particular concern is the strategic Black Sea port of Odesa. According to some reports, Russia is pushing for control or “neutral status” of Odesa, which would seriously affect Ukraine’s economy by limiting its access to the sea. Although Trump has not confirmed that the issue of Odesa was discussed, any deal involving territorial concessions would be highly controversial and could trigger a political backlash in both Ukraine and the United States.

Military and security issues: will NATO’s role change?

In addition to Ukraine, the future of NATO and the US-Russia security relationship were key issues for discussion. Putin reportedly put pressure on Trump to close the issue of Ukraine’s membership in the Alliance once and for all.

In addition, the Kremlin wants to see a reduction in NATO’s military presence in Eastern Europe.

Potential arms control agreements and strategic security guarantees

Although the White House has not disclosed details, Trump’s past criticism of NATO and his calls for European countries to take greater responsibility for their own security suggest that he may be open to changing the US approach in this area.

Humanitarian issues and prisoner exchange

In addition to military and territorial discussions, the two leaders also discussed humanitarian issues. They discussed the exchange of prisoners, including both Ukrainian soldiers and Russian prisoners held in Ukraine.

In addition, the parties discussed the safe return of Ukrainian children who had been forcibly taken to Russia.

Global reaction: skepticism and strategic calculations of the world

The international reaction to Donald Trump’s call to Russian President Vladimir Putin was mixed.

European leaders expressed concern that any ceasefire plan in favor of Russian interests could legitimize Moscow’s territorial gains and encourage Putin to continue his territorial aggression against other countries.

Official China, which positions itself as a mediator in the conflict, has so far welcomed the diplomatic engagement, viewing it as a step toward de-escalation.

U.S. lawmakers remain divided, with some Republicans praising Trump’s diplomatic efforts while others warning that any deal should not come at the expense of Ukraine’s sovereignty.

What to expect next

After the phone call, both Washington and Moscow indicated the need for further negotiations. In the coming days, US President Donald Trump is expected to discuss the ceasefire proposal with European allies and Ukrainian officials.

Although the immediate outcome remains uncertain, political analysts are inclined to believe that this conversation between the two leaders has laid the groundwork for a new phase in U.S.-Russian relations that could determine the trajectory of the war in Ukraine and the global order more broadly.