U.S. and Russia Talk Peace Plan for Ukraine

🚨Breaking: “Putin we have agreed the work of normal diplomatic agencies”

America & Russia are to restore normal relations with one another. pic.twitter.com/Of0ULjYPqA

— Concerned Citizen (@BGatesIsaPyscho) February 19, 2025

A telephone conversation between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov took place Saturday, during which they “discussed next steps,” according to State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce.

Trump, since his January return to the White House, has emphasized his commitment to resolving the three-year conflict and has made remarkable strides in improving relations with Putin.

While no specific date was announced for the next round of US-Russia discussions in Saudi Arabia, Bruce noted that both Rubio and Lavrov “agreed to continue working towards restoring communication between the United States and Russia.”

The diplomatic exchange followed a virtual summit in London earlier that day, where British Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed 26 world leaders, emphasizing the importance of strengthening Ukraine’s position, safeguarding any ceasefire, and maintaining pressure on Moscow.

Starmer expressed his belief that Putin would eventually need to negotiate, noting that the Russian leader was attempting to delay by “saying there must be a painstaking study before a ceasefire can take place.”

Military officials from approximately 30 nations convened in Paris on March 11 to discuss peacekeeping force arrangements in Ukraine, with a follow-up meeting scheduled for Thursday in Britain.

French President Emmanuel Macron stressed the importance of unified action in securing Russia’s acceptance of the proposed ceasefire.

“This is a moment of truth because if Russia does not sincerely commit to peace, President Trump will toughen sanctions and retaliation, and so that will completely change the dynamic,” Macron told French regional papers in an interview posted late Saturday.

“Russia must respond clearly and the pressure must be clear, in conjunction with the United States, to obtain this ceasefire,” he said in a statement to AFP.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized Russia’s need to demonstrate willingness to support a lasting peace through ceasefire.

Zelensky cautioned that Russia aimed to strengthen its military position before any ceasefire, telling journalists in Kyiv, “They want to improve their situation on the battlefield.”

Are you listening @NobelPeaceOslo @NobelPrize Committee?

Putin says Russia AGREES with propositions of ceasefire, but it must lead to “permanent peace and remove original causes of crisis”. He stopped short of signing and said he wants to speak with @realDonaldTrump first. pic.twitter.com/4vTDoKotZI

— Scott Adams (@scottadamsshow) March 13, 2025

While Starmer and Macron have expressed willingness to deploy British and French troops in Ukraine, other nations’ positions remain unclear. Russia opposes the presence of foreign peacekeepers in Ukraine.

Macron countered this stance, stating: “If Ukraine asks allied forces to be on its territory, it is not up to Russia to accept or not.”

Starmer has expressed openness to coalition support, suggesting countries might contribute through logistics or surveillance.

Trump appointed Keith Kellogg as special envoy to Ukraine on Saturday. Despite his previous role as national security advisor during Trump’s first term, Kellogg was excluded from recent Saudi Arabian peace talks, with NBC News citing a senior Russian official who claimed Putin viewed him as too pro-Ukraine.

Meanwhile, combat continues, with Moscow reclaiming territory in the Kursk border region. In Russia’s Belgorod region, Ukrainian drone strikes injured three civilians in Gubkin and Dolgoe. Ukrainian authorities reported damage to residential buildings in Chernihiv’s northern region.