Former Defense Secretary and CIA Director Leon Panetta has recognized President Donald Trump for his efforts in creating a potential ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. On Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Ukraine had tentatively agreed to a 30-day ceasefire proposal from the Trump administration, pending a response from Russia.
However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has not accepted the offer yet. In his recent address, he acknowledged the idea of a ceasefire as positive, but indicated that there were various topics that still needed to be discussed.
During his appearance on CNN, Panetta praised Trump for negotiating a potential ceasefire and encouraged him to remain steadfast against Putin. He highlighted the importance of avoiding the addition of other issues, which could complicate the current negotiations. “The president must communicate to Putin that this is a chance to end the violence and save lives,” Panetta stated. He urged that a ceasefire be prioritized before tackling more complex issues later.
Panetta’s remarks came after Trump expressed hope that Russia would come to the table and accept the ceasefire deal. Trump characterized Putin’s recent comments as less than definitive but still hopeful, remarking that much of the agreement’s specifics had already been talked about.
In a world watching closely, Trump emphasized that failure to reach an agreement would be a disappointment for many. As negotiations continue, the focus remains on finding a way to end the conflict and restore peace in the region.
