By Joke Kujenya
RUSSIAN PRESIDENT Vladimir Putin has agreed to a temporary halt on attacks targeting energy and infrastructure facilities in Ukraine following an extended phone call with United States President Donald Trump, the White House confirmed on Tuesday.
However, Moscow declined to commit to a broader ceasefire, leaving key aspects of a peace deal unresolved.
The Kremlin acknowledged that during the conversation, Trump proposed a mutual agreement between the conflicting parties to refrain from striking energy infrastructure for 30 days.
Putin reportedly responded positively and issued an immediate order to the Russian military to comply.
Despite this development, the call failed to secure the full ceasefire that Trump has advocated, and Ukraine has already accepted.
According to the White House, the two leaders also discussed beginning “technical negotiations” focused on a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, potential steps toward a full cessation of hostilities, and an eventual permanent peace settlement.
These talks are set to commence “immediately” in the Middle East.
While falling short of an all-encompassing truce, the agreement marks the first instance in which Russia has agreed to halt specific strikes since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.
The move provides both Moscow and Kyiv with potential strategic benefits.
Ukraine’s energy grid has suffered severe disruptions due to Russian airstrikes, leading to widespread blackouts and increased targeting of Russian oil facilities by Ukrainian forces using long-range drones.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the pause in strikes on energy infrastructure, calling it a key step toward de-escalation. “Both sides, Russian and Ukrainian, can cease attacking the energy sector. Our side is going to support this,” he said during a press conference, reinforcing that this proposal was already on the table during prior US-mediated negotiations in Saudi Arabia.
Zelensky also emphasized the importance of continued military assistance from Kyiv’s Western allies, stating, “We are in constant communication. I am confident that there will be no betrayal from our partners and that the assistance will continue.”
His remarks came in response to Putin’s insistence that all Western military aid to Ukraine must cease as a condition for further peace talks.
Russian Demands and US Pressure
While Washington and Kyiv view the energy ceasefire as progress, Russia has placed conditions on further concessions.
The Kremlin stated that Putin insisted on the cessation of foreign military aid to Ukraine as a prerequisite for a broader ceasefire.
The White House, however, omitted this demand in its official statement.
Notably, neither side referenced land concessions, despite Trump’s earlier comments suggesting that discussions about territorial division were ongoing.
The call, lasting nearly two hours, was widely seen as a test of Trump’s ability to negotiate an end to the war.
His administration has insisted that the US is closer than ever to brokering a temporary truce, despite ongoing skepticism from both Russian and Ukrainian officials.
Int’l Response and Concerns Over Moscow’s Intentions
European leaders cautiously welcomed the agreement while urging that it be followed by a broader ceasefire. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz both emphasized that Ukraine must be involved in any long-term peace negotiations. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stressed that the goal must be a “just and lasting peace for Ukraine.”
Despite the breakthrough, concerns remain that Russia may use the pause to regroup militarily. Since the last round of US-led negotiations in Saudi Arabia, Moscow has continued launching missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure. According to Ukrainian reports, over 1,300 guided bombs and nearly 600 long-range drones have struck the country in recent weeks.
Explosions rang out in Kyiv just hours after the Trump-Putin call, suggesting that despite the agreement, Russia is not fully backing down from its military campaign. Ukraine’s military reported that its forces repelled multiple cross-border attacks from Russia, while Moscow accused Ukrainian forces of attempting incursions into Belgorod. Both sides remain engaged in fierce battles along the frontlines, further complicating diplomatic efforts.
Putin also informed Trump that a prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine is set to take place on Wednesday. Additionally, the two leaders discussed cooperation in the Middle East, including Russia’s proposal to mediate a nuclear deal with Iran.
Negotiations Continue Amid Unresolved Territorial Disputes
Trump and his advisors have maintained that military conflict must first be halted before addressing complex territorial disputes. However, Russian officials have signaled reluctance to accept the current US ceasefire proposal, with top Kremlin negotiator Yuriy Ushakov dismissing it as “a temporary respite for the Ukrainian military.”
Ahead of the call, sources indicated that discussions included the status of Russian-occupied regions, including Crimea and the Donbas. US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz acknowledged that “territory” remains an unresolved issue and that diplomatic discussions will continue.
In the aftermath of the Trump-Putin call, White House officials expressed optimism that the ceasefire initiative is progressing. “We are on the 10-yard line of peace,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters. However, the extent to which Russia will adhere to its commitments remains uncertain.
with reports from international media
I hope, it’s OK