Trump and Putin plan talks on Ukraine; Odesa's fate uncertain
Donald Trump will speak on the phone with Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. Both leaders are expected to discuss halting hostilities in Ukraine and the division of assets. The New York Times reports that Kyiv fears Trump might cede the strategic port in Odesa to Putin.
According to the Russian government agency Ria Novosti, Trump and Putin will call between 12 and 2 p.m. ET. During Trump's first term, the two leaders spoke by phone 19 times and met six times.
This time, the politicians are mainly expected to discuss the war in Ukraine and halting the fighting. Officials from both countries reportedly ironed out many details over the past weekend concerning the ceasefire terms, including the division of territory and power plants. Media reports indicate that the nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia might fall into Moscow's hands.
"I think we're doing quite well with Russia," Donald Trump said recently. The U.S. President added, "We have a very good chance" of achieving a ceasefire.
"I think we have a lot of it already discussed very much by both sides, Ukraine and Russia. We are already talking about that, dividing up certain assets." Trump revealed on Monday. He added that many elements of the final agreement have already been settled.
Odesa for the Russians?
"Mr. Trump was careful not to say much about which parts of Ukrainian territory he was discussing, or whether he would try to limit Mr. Putin’s ambitions. The Trump administration has already made clear it expects Russia to control the land that its troops already command, roughly 20 percent of Ukraine. But aides to President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine said last month they were concerned that Mr. Trump may entertain Mr. Putin’s other desires for parts of Ukraine, perhaps including the critical port of Odesa," reports the "NYT".
The newspaper highlighted the remarks of Michael Waltz, Trump's national security advisor. Waltz stated a few days ago on NBC that talks with Russia will be pragmatic.
Special envoy of the U.S. President, Steve Witkoff, also spoke on CBS about potential access to Black Sea ports. Odesa is the largest port in Ukraine, handling grain, coal, wood, and sugar. It is also the third largest city in Ukraine, after Kyiv and Kharkiv. Russian control over the port could lead to a blockade of Ukrainian goods at sea.
