Putin Agrees to Temporary Suspension of Energy Strikes, Ceasefire Talks Fail to Advance

Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump had a phone conversation on Tuesday during which they agreed to suspend attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. However, their expected discussion did not result in a more comprehensive ceasefire agreement.

The two leaders spoke for over 90 minutes, expressing a mutual desire to enhance relations between their nations. Nevertheless, Putin rejected Washington’s offer for a 30-day ceasefire to encompass the entire conflict.

The Kremlin announced that Putin has instructed his military to cease operations against Ukraine’s energy assets for 30 days. In contrast, the White House noted that «the leaders concurred that efforts toward peace would initiate with a ceasefire regarding energy and infrastructure.»

In Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelensky showed support for the partial ceasefire but suggested that Putin’s reluctance to engage in a broader agreement signaled his unpreparedness for peace and an ongoing intent to «weaken» Ukraine.

Trump claimed on his Truth Social platform that there was «an understanding to work swiftly towards a complete ceasefire and, eventually, an end to this very terrible war.»

However, the Kremlin indicated that a «fundamental condition» for peace would be the total cessation of Western military and intelligence backing for Ukraine’s forces—a demand that would be difficult for Ukraine and its Western partners to accept.

Prior to the call, Trump had indicated he was willing to discuss the «division of certain assets,» pertaining to which areas of occupied Ukraine Russia might be allowed to retain.

On Truth Social, Trump asserted that «numerous components of a final agreement have been reached, but much is still to be finalized.»

U.S. allies are cautious of Trump’s overtures towards Russia, fearing he might make excessive concessions to a leader he has often praised.

Ukraine, which had already accepted a 30-day halt proposal from Washington, called on Moscow to «unconditionally» agree to the ceasefire.

«It is time for Russia to demonstrate its true intentions regarding peace,» stated Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha prior to the call.

However, Putin, who has previously highlighted the importance of further discussions, seemed resistant to committing to a wider cessation of hostilities.

Before speaking with Trump, Putin delivered a confrontational address criticizing the West, asserting that sanctions would continue regardless of any peace agreement. He also ridiculed the G7—of which Russia was expelled in 2018—calling it «too small to see on a map,» garnering applause from his audience.

Zelensky has cautioned that Putin is not sincerely seeking peace but is rather using negotiations as a strategy to bolster Russia’s position in ongoing military conflicts.

For over three years, Russia has conducted relentless drone and missile assaults on Ukraine, occupying approximately 20% of its territory and achieving slow but steady advancements in recent months.

The Kremlin has also promoted a Russian counteroffensive in the Kursk region, parts of which Ukraine captured last year in an attempt to gain leverage in negotiations.

Trump established direct communication with Putin in February, diverging from Western initiatives to isolate the Russian leader. This was followed by a tense televised confrontation between Trump and Zelensky in the Oval Office on February 28, after which the U.S. temporarily halted military support to Ukraine.

On Sunday, Trump suggested that his discussion with Putin would revolve around matters related to «land» and «power plants,» which could reference the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility.

Ending the war in Ukraine has become a central campaign pledge for Trump, who blames the policies of his predecessor, Joe Biden, for prolonging the conflict.

«It must end NOW,» he wrote on Truth Social.