Trump call ahead of Russia sanctions deadline ‘productive’: Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday said that a call with President Trump ahead of a sanctions deadline for Russia was “productive.”

“A productive conversation with President Trump, with the key focus of course being ending the war. We are grateful to @POTUS for all efforts toward a just and lasting peace,” Zelensky said in a post on the social platform X.

“It is truly a must to stop the killing as soon as possible, and we fully support this. Many months could have already passed without war, had Russia not been prolonging it,” he added.

President Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to go to Russia this week for what Ukraine has referred to as Moscow’s “last chance” to come to a peace deal before U.S. sanctions are imposed on countries that import oil from Russia.

On Sunday, Trump said Witkoff “may be going to Russia” on Wednesday or Thursday in an effort to lock down a ceasefire.

Trump has become increasingly frustrated with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has ignored pressure from the president for a peace deal, and he moved up a deadline last week for Russia to come to a peace deal or face increased economic isolation.

The president’s latest deadline for Russia would technically run out Friday, but Trump has been flexible when it comes to imposing threatened tariffs on other countries.

“Today, we coordinated our positions – Ukraine and the United States. We exchanged assessments of the situation: The Russians have intensified the brutality of their attacks. President Trump is fully informed about Russian strikes on Kyiv and other cities and communities,” Zelensky said in his X post Tuesday.

“Of course, we spoke about sanctions against Russia. Their economy continues to decline, and that’s exactly why Moscow is so sensitive to this prospect and President Trump’s resolve. This can change a lot,” he added.