Trump and Zelenskyy discuss Putin’s response to ceasefire deal

US President Donald Trump has spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in their first known conversation since their tense meeting at the White House last month.

Mr Trump said he held a “very good” phone call with Mr Zelenskyy and that efforts towards negotiating a ceasefire* in Russia’s invasion were “very much on track”.

Mr Trump said in a post on social media platform Truth Social that “much of the discussion” was following up on his call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and aimed “to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs”.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told a press briefing that Mr Trump raised the possibility of the United States taking ownership of Ukrainian power plants during his conversation with Mr Zelenskyy.

“American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure* and support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure,” Ms Leavitt said.

Mr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday that after speaking to Mr Trump, he was ready to pause strikes on Russian energy and civilian infrastructure.

“One of the first steps towards fully ending the war could be ending strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure. I supported this step, and Ukraine confirmed that we are ready to implement it,” Mr Zelenskyy wrote on social media platform X.

TRUMP-PUTIN CALL
The call between Mr Trump and Mr Zelenskyy came a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to certain parts of the ceasefire deal.

In a phone call with Mr Trump, Mr Putin agreed to temporarily halt attacks on Ukraine’s energy and infrastructure targets but indicated that lasting peace would not come until the flow of foreign aid and intelligence* to Kyiv stopped.

Mr Putin’s terms didn’t completely match the 30-day ceasefire deal agreed to by Mr Zelenskyy last week and it is unclear whether the Ukrainian leader will accept Russia’s proposal.

After the 90-minute phone call between Mr Trump and Mr Putin, the White House issued a statement saying steps were being taken toward a full ceasefire, starting with a halt on attacks on energy and infrastructure targets.

“This conflict should never have started and should have been ended long ago with sincere and good faith peace efforts,” the statement said.

“The leaders agreed that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea*, full ceasefire and permanent peace.”

Mr Trump was positive about the development, describing his phone call with Mr Putin as “a very good and productive one”.

He said the energy and infrastructure agreement was made with an understanding that it was the first step to a complete ceasefire and an end to “this very horrible war”.

“Many elements of a contract for peace were discussed, including the fact that thousands of soldiers are being killed, and both President Putin and President Zelenskyy would like to see it end,” Mr Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

“That process is now in full force and effect, and we will, hopefully, for the sake of humanity, get the job done!”

It’s understood Russia and Ukraine will take part in a prisoner swap following the call, with both sides expected to hand over 175 prisoners, including 23 seriously injured Ukrainian servicemen.

The White House said both leaders agreed “the conflict needs to end with a lasting peace”.

“They also stressed the need for improved bilateral relations* between the United States and Russia,” it said.

It continued: “The blood and treasure that both Ukraine and Russia have been spending in this war would be better spent on the needs of their people.”

The Kremlin* said Mr Putin had “responded positively” to the peace talks and was willing to continue negotiations.

It said the leaders “trust each other” and want to normalise* US-Russia ties after more than three years of the war in Ukraine.

“Presidents Putin and Trump understand each other well, trust each other and are intent to gradually move towards the normalisation* of ties,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

– with AFP

POLL

GLOSSARY

• ceasefire: a truce or temporary pause in fighting on both sides
• infrastructure: buildings and systems used to deliver important services for the community
• intelligence: surveillance networks and information used in war and spywork
• Black Sea: the Black Sea is to the south of Ukraine and south west of Russia and is an important strategic region to Russia
• bilateral relations: when two governments recognise each other as being sovereign states
• Kremlin: the Russian Government
• normalise/normalisation: bring a return to normal

EXTRA READING

Ukraine signs a pathway to peace

Diplomatic disaster at White House

Trump’s ‘Octagon Office’ diplomacy

QUICK QUIZ

1. What parts of the ceasefire has Russia agreed to?
2. What does Russia want to end before a full ceasefire takes effect?
3. What is Mr Trump suggesting the US take ownership of?
4. How many prisoners will be handed over as part of a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine?
5. How many years has the war in Ukraine been raging?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Should they?
Do you think that Ukraine should give power plants to the United States? Use information in the story to help you to write a convincing paragraph that answers this question.

Time: allow at least 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English

2. Extension
If you were in charge of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, what would you do and say to bring about a ceasefire? Write a list of ideas and actions that you think could work.

Time: allow at least 30 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English

VCOP ACTIVITY
To sum it up
After reading the article, use your comprehension skills to summarise in a maximum of three sentences what the article is about.

Think about:

What is the main topic or idea?

What is an important or interesting fact?

Who was involved (people or places)?

Use your VCOP skills to re-read your summary to make sure it is clear, specific and well punctuated.