A complete ceasefire in Ukraine could be achieved within “a couple of weeks,” according to Steve Witkoff, the special envoy of US President Donald Trump. Witkoff also indicated that sanctions imposed by Washington on Russia might be eased once an agreement is secured. His comments come after a March 18 phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which he described as “epic” and “transformational.”

The phone call between Trump and Putin has been hailed as a major step toward ending the prolonged conflict in Ukraine. According to Witkoff, the two leaders had a highly productive discussion, during which they agreed on several key measures aimed at de-escalating hostilities. He emphasized that both presidents were “in sync” and focused on achieving tangible results.

“President Trump and President Putin were in sync with one another, the call was outcome-oriented,” Witkoff stated, underscoring the significance of their engagement.

One of the most immediate outcomes of the call was a mutual agreement to cease attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure. The parties also agreed to work toward establishing a Black Sea moratorium, which would prohibit strikes on naval vessels and freighters carrying essential commodities such as grain. These measures, if successfully implemented, would significantly reduce hostilities and pave the way for a broader ceasefire agreement.

While initial agreements have been reached, Witkoff acknowledged that a full ceasefire remains a complex undertaking. “There is a 2,000-kilometer border, there’s [Russia’s] Kursk [Region], and there’s a lot of details that go into that,” he noted. The complexities of the battlefield situation, including territorial........

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