Trump, Putin to hold phone talks this week

In the latest bid to ink a truce between Ukraine and Russia talks over the phone are reportedly poised to take place between the U.S. and Russian leaders this week.

Lee Seung-jae reports.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said recent negotiations with Russia to end the war with Ukraine are going well.

He also expressed confidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin will agree to a ceasefire.

According to U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff on Sunday, the two leaders are expected to hold phone talks this week.

Witkoff met Putin in person in Moscow last week, to further discuss a potential ceasefire deal that will finally put a halt to over three years of war.

The envoy expressed optimism over the phone call, saying that "the presidents are going to have a really good and positive discussion this week."

He also voiced confidence that a deal would be reached "in the coming weeks."

Witkoff explained that Washington is also in communication with Kyiv, adding that while the situation is complicated, the gap between the two sides is narrowing.

U.S. negotiators are set to meet with counterparts from both Ukraine and Russia during the coming week to further engage in ceasefire talks.

Meanwhile, the European Union is set to discuss measures to provide additional weapons to Ukraine worth over 43 billion U.S. dollars during its foreign ministers' meeting and a leaders summit.

On Thursday, the military chiefs from countries participating in the "Coalition of the Willing" will meet in the UK to discuss post-war peacekeeping.

While plans for deploying peacekeeping troops to key locations and training Ukrainian forces are being discussed, the process is expected to face several hurdles as many countries are reluctant to send troops.

Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.