In a significant move towards peace, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to an immediate halt in strikes against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
During a 90-minute phone call on Tuesday, the two leaders discussed efforts to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The White House described the agreement as the first step in a “movement to peace” that could lead to a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and eventually a full and lasting end to the fighting.
“We will be working quickly to have a complete ceasefire and, ultimately, an end to this very horrible war between Russia and Ukraine,” Trump posted on his social media platform after the call.
According to the Kremlin, Putin agreed to pause strikes on Ukraine’s energy targets for 30 days and has already given the order to his military. The Kremlin statement emphasized that a key condition for preventing escalation is halting all foreign military aid to Ukraine and suspending Western intelligence sharing with Kyiv.
“The two leaders agreed that a future with an improved bilateral relationship between the United States and Russia has huge upside,” the White House said. “This includes enormous economic deals and geopolitical stability when peace has been achieved.”
Zelenskyy Calls for a ‘Just’ Peace
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed cautious optimism about the ceasefire. Speaking to reporters via video conference on Tuesday evening, he called the phone call “a step towards peace, and not towards further complication of military combat situations.”
Zelenskyy sought more details on the agreement, stating that Ukraine is open to any proposals that lead to a sustainable and just peace. However, he rejected Putin’s demand for halting military aid and intelligence sharing, warning that such a move would weaken Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
“What are the details? We hope to be fully informed, and our partners will discuss everything with us,” Zelenskyy said. “Trying to negotiate without Ukraine, in my view, will not be productive.”
Putin also informed Trump that Russia and Ukraine are set to exchange 175 prisoners of war each on Wednesday, according to the Kremlin.
This engagement marks a new chapter in U.S.-Russia relations as efforts to end the conflict gain momentum. Ukrainian officials agreed last week to the 30-day ceasefire proposal during talks in Saudi Arabia led by U.S. diplomats. White House special envoys then met with Putin in Moscow to discuss the proposal.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko stated on Monday that the Kremlin would seek “ironclad security guarantees” in any potential future peace deal. These conditions include Ukraine’s neutral status and the refusal of NATO countries to accept Kyiv into the organization.
