How much can the world really trust Vladimir Putin?

Well, we're about to find out.

The lead starts right now.

A top Trump administration official is in Moscow tonight trying to get a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire

deal closer to the finish line.

President Trump says the progress is, quote, promising, but the big question, is Putin really just stringing

everybody along? Plus, agencies across the federal government are facing a deadline today to

explain how they plan to carry out mass layoffs, exactly how many employees are at risk,

and how soon? And a fundraiser for accused murderer Luigi Mangione

setting a new record as Mangione sits behind bars charged with the assassination of a United

Healthcare CEO. What we're learning about this mysterious, if not disgusting, donation.

Welcome to the lead. I'm Jake Tapper. We start with our world lead. Is Russia really ready for a

ceasefire? And will Ukraine accept a deal that includes giving up land and how much land?

Today President Trump and Russian leader Putin said they're ready to talk.

They laid out their visions for a workable ceasefire.

But Putin also signaled he still has a few questions.

Take a listen.

The Ukrainian side should certainly get a ceasefire for 30 days, and we are for that, but I have reservations.

One Putin aide says there will be no deal unless it is a long-lasting agreement, an agreement that ensures Ukraine will not use the pause in fighting to regroup.

In just the last hour, Ukraine's president of

Al-Demezlinsky said Putin's response was, quote, very manipulative. He said he thinks Putin is

just, quote, afraid to tell Trump that he wants the war to continue. This as Trump's special envoy,

...