Trump on Putin's statement: 'Hopefully Russia will do the right thing'

He said this at a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House on Thursday, Ukrinform reports, citing Sky News.

"Hopefully Russia will do the right thing," he said, repeating that he would like to see a ceasefire from Russia.

He also told reporters that his envoy is in serious discussions in Russia -- Witkoff is expected to meet Vladimir Putin shortly.

Trump also addressed Putin's news conference with ally and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. He said the Russian president put out a promising statement, but insists it was not complete, and reiterated he is willing to talk to Putin about the ceasefire proposal.

Trump has also broken away from his high-profile criticism of NATO and praised Rutte for his role, saying he has been doing "some really good work."

Negotiations between Ukrainian and U.S. delegations took place in Saudi Arabia on March 11. Following the talks, the Ukrainian delegation supported the U.S. proposal for a 30-day interim ceasefire along the entire front line. This ceasefire could be extended by mutual agreement, provided that Russia accepts and simultaneously adheres to the terms.

Earlier on March 13, Putin announced that Russia is willing to temporarily halt hostilities in Ukraine but has put forward his conditions.

Photo: Sarah Silbiger/The New York Times