After a call with Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to pause attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure for 30 days.
During this second discussion since Trump took office, Putin rejected the 30-day truce that Trump had advocated and Ukraine had agreed to. As technical teams start working on other areas of the negotiations, the White House instead announced a more limited moratorium on strikes that target energy infrastructure.
In addition to technical discussions for a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, a complete ceasefire, and long-term peace, the two presidents decided that peace efforts would begin with an energy and infrastructure truce. The White House announced that technical talks in the Middle East will start right away.
Trump proposed negotiations to end the war to Putin
The call was a crucial test of whether Trump, who has largely aligned with Putin’s views on the war since their last conversation, could fulfill his campaign promise of ending the conflict—and whether his friendly stance toward Russia has been effective.
“The two leaders agreed that a stronger US-Russia relationship could bring significant benefits,” the White House said. “This includes major economic opportunities and geopolitical stability once peace is reached.”
Following a phone conversation between Trump and Putin last month, which reopened communication between the White House and the Kremlin after a protracted period of silence, negotiations to end the war got underway.
Following that, Trump invited Zelensky to the Oval Office, where they had a heated argument during which Trump and Vice President JD Vance yelled at Zelensky and demanded that the Ukrainians leave. The US then temporarily stopped exchanging intelligence and providing military assistance.
During Tuesday’s call, Trump and Putin agreed to begin peace efforts with an “energy and infrastructure ceasefire,” along with technical talks on implementing a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea.
Russia’s attacks on energy infrastructure have been a key part of its invasion of Ukraine, causing widespread power outages that impact everything from heating and water supply to sewage and public health.
Ukraine backed by European Unions
European leaders have promised to keep supporting Kyiv. “We both agree that Ukraine can count on us, on Europe, and we won’t let them down,” said outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, speaking alongside French President Emmanuel Macron at a news conference in Berlin. Macron added, “We will continue supporting the Ukrainian army in its fight against Russian aggression.”
Scholz also urged leaders to agree on a complete ceasefire as soon as possible. “The next step should be a full ceasefire for Ukraine, and it should happen as quickly as possible. We both agree on that,” Scholz said.
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