**Trump’s Team Opposes Phone Call to Putin, Citing Ukraine Ceasefire Concerns**
In a move that suggests the United States is cautious about getting too close to Russia amid ongoing tensions over Ukraine, President Donald Trump’s inner circle has advised against making a phone call to Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to NBC News, citing two unnamed officials, the administration is hesitant to engage with Putin until Moscow commits to a full ceasefire in Ukraine.
This stance is significant because just days earlier, on March 30, Trump said he was “very angry” at Putin but planned to speak to him soon. The phone call between the two leaders did take place on March 18, as part of peace talks aimed at ending Russia’s war against Ukraine. However, no further calls have been scheduled since then.
The officials cited by NBC News say that Trump has been advised against making a call to Putin until Moscow agrees to a full ceasefire in Ukraine. This is because Moscow has shown signs of being unwilling to move forward on a peace deal with Ukraine. Despite Ukraine agreeing to a U.S.-proposed full 30-day ceasefire, Russia has refused to accept the terms.
**The Conflict Rages On**
In other news related to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the body of a third victim was found trapped beneath the rubble after a Russian drone struck an apartment building in Kharkiv. This incident highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
American businesses are prepared to return to Russia and fill the vacancies left by European companies that withdrew after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, according to Kirill Dmitriev. However, this move is likely to be met with skepticism given the ongoing tensions between Russia and the West.
**Ukraine’s Leaders Urge Caution**
President Volodymyr Zelensky has emphasized that any ceasefire agreement must include a commitment from Russia to respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity. “These are Ukrainian territories…this is one of the main red lines for us, in any case, this is a temporary occupation of territories,” he said.
In related news, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, said that Ukraine and Russia are already approaching a ceasefire despite prior reports that a ceasefire was unlikely in the coming months.
**International Community Shows Support**
The international community continues to show support for Ukraine. The initiative, backed by contributions from Canada, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, and other European countries, has significantly boosted Ukraine’s artillery capabilities, according to Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky. Additionally, NATO’s command and control structures could be used to deploy a so-called “reassurance force” to Ukraine, unnamed officials told the Financial Times.
The Danish government has also approved the 25th package of military assistance to Ukraine, worth 6.7 billion Danish kroner ($970 million), which will support Ukraine from 2025 until 2027.
**Commentary and Analysis**
This news highlights the complexities of international diplomacy in times of conflict. The United States is walking a fine line between engaging with Russia to bring about peace talks and avoiding getting too close to a leader who has shown no willingness to commit to a ceasefire in Ukraine.
The ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by Russia’s actions in Ukraine should also not be forgotten. As the world continues to watch and respond to this unfolding drama, one thing is clear: any solution will require a commitment from all parties involved to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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