On Friday, President Donald Trump said that ‘contracts’ are being worked on to divide Ukrainian land as part of a final peace deal to end Russia’s war in Ukraine. He also said a ceasefire could happen “pretty soon.”
“They are fighting against each other,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday. “I think we’re going to have a ceasefire in a lot of areas, and so far, that’s holding up very well.”
“In getting that ceasefire, they had a lot of guns pointed at each other. Some soldiers, unfortunately, got surrounded,” the president said. “But I believe we’ll soon have a full ceasefire, and then we’re going to have a contract. The contract is being negotiated right now, dividing up the land, etc.”
Russia controls nearly 20% of Ukraine’s territory.
The Trump administration has worked to establish a partial ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, which would focus on energy facilities and infrastructure. Russian President Vladimir Putin has supported a limited ceasefire involving energy infrastructure but has rejected the U.S. idea of a 30-day ceasefire, which Ukraine endorsed earlier this month.
In a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday, Trump suggested that the U.S. could take control of some Ukrainian power plants to help protect them in the future.
“American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure and support for Ukrainian energy,” said national security adviser Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a joint statement after Trump’s call with Zelensky. “He said the U.S. could help run those plants with its electricity and utility expertise.”
Zelensky did not comment on Trump’s power plant proposal but said Ukraine would keep working with the U.S. and supported the partial ceasefire.
“We agreed that Ukraine and the United States should keep working together to end the war and bring lasting peace,” Zelensky said. “We believe that with America and President Trump’s leadership, lasting peace can be achieved this year.”
Trump’s idea to control some of Ukraine’s power plants is reportedly linked to his support for a Ukraine-U.S. minerals deal, which was not signed after a tense exchange between him and Zelensky last month.
“When there is peace, the president wants Ukraine and the U.S. to have a partnership that benefits both countries and strengthens Europe’s security,” national security council spokesman Brian Hughes said in a statement on Friday. “American innovation and technology can help make that happen.”
