US-Russia Dialogue to Address Territorial Disputes and Energy Infrastructure
March 18, 2025 – Washington, D.C. / Moscow: US President Donald Trump is set to hold a crucial conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in an effort to negotiate an end to the ongoing Ukraine war. The discussion will reportedly center around territorial division and the status of key infrastructure, including power plants, as Trump seeks to redefine US foreign policy on the global stage.
Despite widespread economic concerns, Trump has reaffirmed his commitment to new tariffs, further intensifying tensions with European allies, who remain wary of his relationship with Putin and stance on Ukraine.
Trump-Putin Call Signals Potential Shift in War Negotiations
During a flight from Florida to Washington on Air Force One, Trump disclosed his upcoming conversation with Putin to reporters, calling it a possible turning point in the Ukraine conflict.
“We will see if we have something to announce maybe by Tuesday. I will be speaking to President Putin on Tuesday,” Trump stated. “A lot of work’s been done over the weekend. We want to see if we can bring that war to an end.”
On Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the planned conversation but declined to provide details, stating that the content of presidential discussions is not disclosed in advance.
This upcoming dialogue follows a visit by Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, to Moscow last week, where negotiations on territorial settlements and economic considerations were reportedly discussed.
European Leaders Concerned Over Trump’s Stance on Ukraine
Trump’s willingness to engage directly with Putin has raised alarms among European allies, particularly after his tense meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House just weeks ago.
Despite Russia’s failure to overthrow the Ukrainian government in its 2022 invasion, the Kremlin continues to control large portions of eastern and southern Ukraine. Trump indicated that his discussion with Putin will focus on:
- Dividing up certain assets, including territorial concessions.
- Energy infrastructure, with a specific focus on power plants.
Russia’s Territorial Demands and Control Over Key Regions
Russia illegally annexed four Ukrainian regions in 2022—Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia—though it does not fully control any of them. The Kremlin has previously stated that for peace negotiations to proceed, Ukraine must withdraw troops from all four regions.
Additionally, Russia maintains control over Crimea, which it annexed in 2014.
A key area of concern is the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest nuclear facility, which remains under Russian control and has frequently been caught in the crossfire. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly warned about potential nuclear catastrophe due to ongoing military tensions in the region.
Trump Pushes Ahead with Tariffs Despite Economic Warnings
While preparing for talks with Putin, Trump has also reiterated his commitment to imposing new tariffs on April 2, despite concerns over economic instability and stock market volatility.
“April 2 is a liberating day for our country,” Trump declared. “We’re getting back some of the wealth that very, very foolish presidents gave away because they had no clue what they were doing.”
Trump’s tariff strategy includes:
- Reciprocal tariffs: “They charge us, and we charge them.”
- Additional tariffs on key industries, including automobiles, steel, and aluminum.
Although Trump has reversed course on some tariffs in the past, particularly with Mexico, he signaled that he has no intention of backing down this time.
As the global diplomatic and economic landscape shifts, all eyes will be on Tuesday’s conversation between Trump and Putin, which could have far-reaching consequences for Ukraine, European security, and US foreign policy.
