United States President Donald Trump has revealed plans to hold discussions with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on March 18, focusing on the war in Ukraine. The talks will cover territorial issues and energy facilities, raising concerns about the nature of potential agreements.
Speaking to journalists aboard Air Force One during a flight from Florida to Washington, Trump announced that significant work had been done over the weekend in preparation for the talks. He expressed hope that progress could be made towards ending the conflict. Trump stated that he intends to discuss the question of land and power stations but did not specify which territories or facilities would be included in the talks. He referred to the matter as a negotiation over the “division of certain assets.”
Trump’s remarks have sparked concerns about the possibility of territorial concessions to Russia, which could legitimise the Kremlin’s illegal occupation of Ukrainian regions. The announcement follows statements from Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who recently mentioned that negotiations on Ukraine involved discussions on Russia’s Kursk region, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, and other occupied territories. The potential for a ceasefire has been described as a complex process, with no clear resolution in sight.
Meanwhile, US Senator Marco Rubio has confirmed that Washington has multiple strategies for bringing the war in Ukraine to an end, though the details remain undisclosed. Many analysts argue that any proposal that does not fully restore Ukraine’s sovereignty would serve Russia’s long term goals rather than securing a lasting peace.
