Trump describes Putin talks as 'productive' amid ceasefire hopes

New Delhi, Mar 14: President Donald Trump on Friday described a recent meeting between U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin as "very good and productive." Writing on Truth Social, Trump expressed optimism that the conflict in Ukraine could be nearing an end. “We had very good and productive discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday, and there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end,” Trump stated. He also warned that thousands of Ukrainian troops remain encircled by Russian forces, describing their position as "very bad and vulnerable."

He revealed that he had "strongly requested" Putin to spare the soldiers' lives, warning that otherwise, the world could witness a "horrible massacre" on a scale unseen since World War II.

Meanwhile Russia has responded with "cautious optimism" about the possibility of a ceasefire deal with Ukraine. However, Russian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasised that several issues must be addressed before an agreement can be finalised. According to Peskov, Putin raised several concerns during his talks with Witkoff, suggesting that unresolved matters risk delaying progress.

Among Putin's key concerns was the security situation in Russia's border region of Kursk, which faced a Ukrainian incursion last August. While Russia recently claimed to have restored control over the area, Putin voiced concerns that a ceasefire could allow Ukraine to regroup, mobilise, and rearm. Another major sticking point was over ceasefire monitoring. Putin has requested clarity on how compliance would be enforced and how violations would be handled.

Ukraine and Russia remain divided on the framework for a truce. Kyiv has proposed an immediate ceasefire followed by peace talks, while Moscow insists on negotiating all terms in a single comprehensive agreement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Putin’s approach, calling it "manipulative" and suggesting that Moscow's demands risk derailing talks. He also called for further sanctions on Russia to compel meaningful progress.