Trump Suggests Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks Involve Asset Division

Negotiators working toward a resolution in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict have reportedly discussed dividing specific assets, according to U.S. President Donald Trump. Speaking on Sunday, Trump revealed that he plans to have a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, signaling a possible breakthrough in the diplomatic process.

Trump’s remarks follow his announcement last week that Ukraine had agreed to a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire. Now, the focus shifts to whether Russia will accept the proposal, which is intended to accelerate efforts to end the war.

“We’re making good progress with Russia. Hopefully, we’ll have something to announce by Tuesday when I speak with President Putin,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One while returning to Washington from his Mar-a-Lago retreat. “A lot has been accomplished over the weekend. We want to see if we can bring an end to this war. Maybe we can, maybe we can’t—but I believe there’s a strong chance.”

Key Discussion Points in the Talks

Trump indicated that negotiators have already identified crucial topics for discussion, including land disputes and energy infrastructure.

“The territorial situation is very different from before the war,” he noted. “We’ll be discussing land and power plants, which are major factors in the negotiations.”

Discussions about the division of assets between Ukraine and Russia have reportedly advanced, with both sides engaging on the matter. However, the details of these negotiations remain undisclosed.

Kremlin’s Position and Uncertain Outlook

A spokesperson for the Kremlin confirmed that Putin and Trump will engage in a discussion on Tuesday, but no further details were provided regarding the nature of their conversation.

Putin’s stance on the U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal remains unclear. While Moscow has expressed openness to a truce in principle, it has also outlined stringent conditions, including guarantees from Ukraine regarding military de-escalation. The Russian government continues to insist that Kyiv’s current administration bears responsibility for the conflict, an argument it has used to justify its military actions.

The Path to a Potential Agreement

Diplomatic meetings involving American negotiators, along with representatives from Ukraine and Russia, are set to continue throughout the week. Additionally, Russian officials previously confirmed that further discussions between U.S. and Russian representatives would take place in Russia, though specifics about the participants remain unknown.

Since its initial intervention in Ukraine in 2014 and the full-scale invasion in 2022, Russia has taken control of significant portions of Ukrainian territory. Reports indicate that Ukraine has lost control of approximately 11% of its land.

One of the most contentious aspects of negotiations is the question of territorial concessions. U.S. officials have hinted that a peace deal may require Ukraine to cede some territory—a demand that aligns with Putin’s conditions for a ceasefire. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly opposed any agreement that involves territorial losses, and some European leaders fear that such a move would legitimize Russia’s invasion.

NATO’s Concerns and the Future of U.S. Commitments

Trump’s willingness to entertain potential concessions to Moscow has raised concerns among NATO allies, who worry about the reliability of U.S. security commitments to Europe. Some European officials have expressed unease over Trump’s approach, which they believe could embolden Putin.

Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy for the Ukraine negotiations, characterized recent discussions as productive but refrained from commenting on whether territorial concessions would be part of the final agreement.

Witkoff stated that Putin “respects President Trump’s approach” and supports efforts to bring the war to an end. Describing his meeting with Putin as “focused on solutions,” he expressed confidence that a pause in hostilities could be reached in the coming weeks.

On Friday, Putin emphasized that Russia is working to restore diplomatic ties with the U.S., noting that relations had significantly deteriorated under the previous American administration.

“The situation is starting to shift,” Putin remarked, referencing ongoing discussions with the Trump administration. “We’ll see what comes of this.”

While optimism surrounds the talks, the path to a lasting peace remains uncertain, with key sticking points still unresolved.