The Russian leader is convinced that Moscow’s battlefield superiority is growing, and that Ukraine’s defenses may collapse in the coming months, according to people close to the Kremlin.

Donald Trump had a call with both President Zelensky and President Vladimir Putin to initiate discussions aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.

Trump’s call with Putin was scheduled for today at 10 a.m. ET, with a subsequent conversation with Zelensky on Friday. Trump has previously expressed hope that the talks could result in a ceasefire, but his attempts at negotiations between Russia and Ukraine have failed to yield significant progress.