Trump, Putin Eye Ceasefire But Zelenskyy Questions Russia's Intent

President Donald Trump is to hold talks on Tuesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin as he looks to get buy-in on an American ceasefire proposal he hopes can create a pathway to ending Russia's devastating war on Ukraine.

- ASSOCIATED PRESS

The White House is optimistic that peace is within reach even as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains skeptical that Putin is doing much beyond paying lip service to Trump as Russian forces continue to pound his country.

The engagement is just the latest turn in dramatically shifting US-Russia relations as Trump made quickly ending the conflict a top priority—even at the expense of straining ties with longtime American allies who want Putin to pay a price for the invasion.

"It's a bad situation in Russia, and it's a bad situation in Ukraine," Trump told reporters on Monday. "What's happening in Ukraine is not good, but we're going to see if we can work a peace agreement, a ceasefire and peace. And I think we'll be able to do it."