**Russia Not Losing Hope Ahead of Planned Putin-Trump Call**
Top aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ushakov, said that despite a week passing since the proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, Russia is still holding onto hope. This comes as Ukraine’s military forces launch powerful drone attacks on Russian territory.
**Major Drone Strike on Russia**
On March 11, Russian authorities reported intercepting 337 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions. This marked the largest drone strike against Russia since the full-scale war began. Meanwhile, Russia continues to attack Ukrainian cities with missiles and drones, targeting civilian and energy infrastructure.
**Trump-Putin Call Ahead**
The planned call between US President Trump and Putin follows negotiations in Saudi Arabia. The US proposed a 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, which Kyiv accepted during bilateral talks on March 11. As a result, the US resumed military and intelligence support for Ukraine.
**Russia’s Demands**
Putin said that Russia is open to the ceasefire but demands guarantees from Ukraine to halt mobilization, military training, and foreign aid deliveries during the truce. This could leave Ukraine vulnerable to renewed Russian offensives.
**Trump on the War**
US President Trump has confirmed that he will speak with Putin on March 18. He said that many elements of a potential peace agreement are already in place. However, he also claimed that thousands of soldiers are being killed each week, citing 2,500 soldier deaths per week without providing evidence.
**Crucial Moment for Ceasefire**
The upcoming talks between Trump and Putin are seen as a crucial moment in assessing whether the US and Russia can negotiate a ceasefire acceptable to both Ukraine and Moscow.