Payam Javan: On Sunday, President Donald Trump announced plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to negotiate a cease-fire aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. Aboard Air Force One, Trump expressed optimism about the talks, highlighting a “very good chance” of reaching an agreement that would address key issues such as land division and power plants. This follows productive weekend discussions and a 30-day cease-fire commitment from Ukraine, agreed upon after talks with U.S. officials in Jeddah on March 11. Meanwhile, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who met with Putin on March 14, described their discussions as positive, noting that differences between the two sides have narrowed, with critical focus on the four partially occupied regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia.

Despite progress, challenges remain as Russia insists on security guarantees, including Ukraine’s neutral status and exclusion from NATO, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko. The talks occur against a backdrop of intensified Russian attacks, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reporting over 1,000 drone strikes and numerous bombs in the past week, urging stronger international pressure on Russia. Ukraine has also retaliated with drone attacks on Russian territory. As cease-fire negotiations advance, Western allies, led by British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, are preparing robust plans to ensure Ukraine’s security post-conflict, with military leaders set to convene in the UK this week.