The Kremlin said on Monday that work was underway to prepare the second phone call between President Vladimir V. Putin and President Trump. However, they declined to disclose the agenda for the call, as American officials continued to express optimism about a cease-fire deal with Ukraine.

Scheduled for Tuesday, this highly anticipated phone call will be the first known conversation between the two leaders since Mr. Putin outlined several conditions for a cease-fire that could potentially delay or derail any truce.

Speaking on Air Force One on Sunday evening, Mr. Trump stated that he expected to discuss territorial issues with Mr. Putin, as well as the fate of Ukrainian power plants. He also mentioned that discussions about dividing certain assets had already taken place.

“Our goal is to see if we can end this war,” said Mr. Trump. “Maybe we can, maybe we can’t, but I think we have a good chance.”

The Kremlin’s spokesman confirmed the phone call on Monday but refused to provide any information about the topics that would be discussed.

In recent weeks, there has been ongoing negotiations between Russia and the United States regarding the war in Ukraine, which Russia started over three years ago. Ukraine has agreed to support a U.S.-backed monthlong cease-fire if Russia does the same.

While Mr. Trump has shown a keen interest in achieving a truce as soon as possible, Mr. Putin appears to be using this opportunity to secure additional concessions.

Last week, Mr. Putin stated that the proposal for a 30-day cease-fire was “the right idea” and that Russia “definitely supports it.” However, he added that there are questions that need to be discussed with American counterparts and partners.

Just prior to Mr. Putin’s meeting with Steve Witkoff, who serves as Mr. Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Kremlin’s push to expel Ukrainian troops from most of the Kursk region of Russia had weakened Kyiv’s bargaining position in potential negotiations. Mr. Putin is now using this Ukrainian retreat as leverage in talks with the Trump administration regarding a potential pause in hostilities.

Tyler Pager contributed to the reporting.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/17/world/europe/putin-trump-russia-ukraine.html