US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to hold discussions this week regarding a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, as Washington and its European allies push for an end to the three-year war.

The United States recently proposed a halt in fighting following talks in Saudi Arabia, with Kyiv accepting the proposal. However, Putin has yet to provide a clear response, instead listing several conditions and raising “serious questions” about the initiative.

Trump’s envoy for the conflict, Steve Witkoff, who met with Putin days ago, told CNN he believes the two leaders will have a “good and positive discussion.”

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov regarding agreements reached at a recent US-Russia summit in Saudi Arabia. However, Moscow has yet to commit to the US-backed ceasefire plan.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of stalling to gain an advantage on the battlefield, saying Moscow wants to strengthen its position before agreeing to any truce. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed this sentiment, criticizing Putin for “dragging his feet” on ending hostilities.

As Russia continues its military offensive, reports indicate Moscow launched 90 Iranian-made drones targeting multiple Ukrainian regions. In response, Zelensky accused Putin of “lying” about the complexity of the ceasefire deal and prolonging the war unnecessarily.

The upcoming Trump-Putin talks will be closely watched as world leaders push for a resolution to the conflict while tensions remain high.