A significant diplomatic breakthrough emerged as US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy engaged in a pivotal one-hour phone call, resulting in a limited ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine. The ceasefire, while partial, marks a crucial step toward a more comprehensive peace settlement in the ongoing conflict. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the development on Thursday, expressing optimism that a "lasting ceasefire" was now within reach. Speaking to reporters, Leavitt emphasized that progress has been substantial.
 

"Right now, we're at a partial ceasefire," Leavitt stated. "But again, the President is sending his highly skilled, intelligent, and experienced team to Saudi Arabia later this week to continue fighting for peace in this conflict. And I would just reiterate one more time: we have never been closer to peace than we are today." The White House official's comments came shortly after reports of a productive and positive phone conversation between Trump and Zelenskyy. According to insiders, the tone of their latest exchange was a sharp contrast to their previous public disagreement.
 

Relations between the two leaders had been tense in recent weeks, with their last meeting at the Oval Office in Washington DC highlighting clear differences. During that contentious encounter, Trump had accused Zelenskyy of "gambling with World War Three." However, their recent phone call took a more constructive turn. Describing the conversation as "positive, very substantive, and frank," Zelenskyy confirmed that both leaders made significant progress on key diplomatic issues. Following the call, Leavitt emphasized the shift, stating: "We are now at that place where we are talking about that. So we've moved beyond just the economic minerals deal framework, and we're looking at a lasting ceasefire." This renewed focus on peace follows weeks of diplomatic maneuvering and international pressure to resolve the escalating crisis.
 

Saudi Arabia to Host Crucial Peace Talks

The ceasefire framework will be further discussed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, this Sunday. Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, confirmed that the upcoming talks would focus on securing broader peace terms between the two sides. While progress has been made, the path to peace remains uncertain. Russian President Vladimir Putin has presented a set of conditions for lasting peace — most notably demanding a halt to military aid provided to Ukraine. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has firmly opposed this condition, insisting that Ukraine will not surrender any land occupied by Russian forces. Following his recent phone call with Trump, Zelenskyy reaffirmed his nation's stance, confirming that discussions would proceed in Saudi Arabia despite ongoing disagreements with Putin's demands.
 

The partial ceasefire has given rise to cautious optimism, with international leaders closely watching the developments. The ceasefire has offered some respite to conflict-affected regions, but experts warn that long-term peace will require sustained diplomatic effort and compromise from all sides. As discussions unfold in Saudi Arabia, the world awaits the next phase of peace talks that could determine the course of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. For now, the limited ceasefire marks a significant yet fragile step toward peace — one that hinges on future negotiations and the willingness of all parties to maintain diplomatic dialogue.