James Menendez

But equally, the fact that the Russians have ignored and broken their promise already, he says, shows that Russia is not ready to finish the fighting. So there is some scepticism, I think, in Kiev about the promises that Mr Putin has made to Mr Trump.

But equally, the fact that the Russians have ignored and broken their promise already, he says, shows that Russia is not ready to finish the fighting. So there is some scepticism, I think, in Kiev about the promises that Mr Putin has made to Mr Trump.

Yeah, that's right. I mean, when Mr. Zelensky gave his briefing yesterday after the telephone call between Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin, he made it very clear that if Russia attacked Ukraine, particularly energy infrastructure, then Ukraine would hit back. He said, look, we're not going to stop doing this unless the Russians stop doing it. In other words, it has to be something that is mutual.

Yeah, that's right. I mean, when Mr. Zelensky gave his briefing yesterday after the telephone call between Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin, he made it very clear that if Russia attacked Ukraine, particularly energy infrastructure, then Ukraine would hit back. He said, look, we're not going to stop doing this unless the Russians stop doing it. In other words, it has to be something that is mutual.

Therefore, the fighting continues as it is. A lot of analysts here have been saying, look, energy infrastructure is not the thing anymore because we're coming out of the winter. We're heading into the spring when Ukraine is warmer, when the focus on energy is is less critical. What Mr. Putin is offering to give up is actually something that he might benefit from more than Ukraine.

Therefore, the fighting continues as it is. A lot of analysts here have been saying, look, energy infrastructure is not the thing anymore because we're coming out of the winter. We're heading into the spring when Ukraine is warmer, when the focus on energy is is less critical. What Mr. Putin is offering to give up is actually something that he might benefit from more than Ukraine.

Yeah, I mean, they say that is a red line for them. They say Mr. Zelensky insisted that he had confidence that partners would continue to provide aid and intelligence to Ukraine. I mean, the problem is, is that as we've learned in recent weeks, the U.S. is prepared to suspend that aid because it's done it on its own without having any request from Russia.

Yeah, I mean, they say that is a red line for them. They say Mr. Zelensky insisted that he had confidence that partners would continue to provide aid and intelligence to Ukraine. I mean, the problem is, is that as we've learned in recent weeks, the U.S. is prepared to suspend that aid because it's done it on its own without having any request from Russia.

So I think it is quite natural and expected for Russia to make that request simply because the Americans are willing to contemplate it. I think there's also a distinction being drawn between the fact that the United States said to Ukraine, you need to sign up to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire across the whole of Ukraine, the air, the sea and on the front line.

So I think it is quite natural and expected for Russia to make that request simply because the Americans are willing to contemplate it. I think there's also a distinction being drawn between the fact that the United States said to Ukraine, you need to sign up to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire across the whole of Ukraine, the air, the sea and on the front line.

Russia has refused to do that, and yet instead of being given threats by the Americans, Mr Trump has put out a statement overnight saying that good progress was made. So I think there's very much a sense here that Ukraine is being treated differently to Russia.

Russia has refused to do that, and yet instead of being given threats by the Americans, Mr Trump has put out a statement overnight saying that good progress was made. So I think there's very much a sense here that Ukraine is being treated differently to Russia.

Donald Trump is bent on keeping the diplomatic ball moving. He wants an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine. Vladimir Putin says yes, maybe, but first let's discuss Russia's terms and conditions. In the face of what some see as stalling tactics, President Trump will call his Russian counterpart to maintain momentum in the negotiations.

Donald Trump is bent on keeping the diplomatic ball moving. He wants an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine. Vladimir Putin says yes, maybe, but first let's discuss Russia's terms and conditions. In the face of what some see as stalling tactics, President Trump will call his Russian counterpart to maintain momentum in the negotiations.

Speaking on a rather noisy Air Force One, he claimed there was a very good chance of peace.

Speaking on a rather noisy Air Force One, he claimed there was a very good chance of peace.

So what might that mean? It's not entirely clear, but it's thought there are discussions about how best to draw up a ceasefire line in areas where the frontline bisects towns and villages. The President was also referring to the future of the massive nuclear power plant at Zaporizhia and a neighbouring town, all currently under Russian control.

So what might that mean? It's not entirely clear, but it's thought there are discussions about how best to draw up a ceasefire line in areas where the frontline bisects towns and villages. The President was also referring to the future of the massive nuclear power plant at Zaporizhia and a neighbouring town, all currently under Russian control.

But President Putin says any ceasefire must not only address questions of detail such as this, but also what he sees as the root causes of the war, namely an expanding NATO and a sovereign Ukraine. All this is making European leaders cautious, including the EU Foreign Affairs Chief, Kaya Callas.

But President Putin says any ceasefire must not only address questions of detail such as this, but also what he sees as the root causes of the war, namely an expanding NATO and a sovereign Ukraine. All this is making European leaders cautious, including the EU Foreign Affairs Chief, Kaya Callas.