Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to a proposal by US President Donald Trump for Russia and Ukraine to halt attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure for 30 days, the Kremlin announced on Tuesday. The agreement, which comes amid ongoing hostilities, was followed by an order from Putin to the Russian military to comply with the ceasefire.
The decision follows a phone call between the two leaders, where they held a “detailed and frank exchange of views” on Ukraine.
Putin stresses long-term resolution
During the call, Putin emphasised the need for a “comprehensive, sustainable, and long-term” resolution to the conflict. The Kremlin’s statement highlighted that any peace efforts must address Russia’s security concerns and the “root causes” of the war.
Concerns over ceasefire monitoring
The discussion also touched on Ukraine’s agreement to the U.S.-backed 30-day ceasefire plan. However, Putin reportedly raised concerns about ensuring the truce is not used by Ukraine to bolster its military strength.
“It was emphasized that the key condition for preventing the escalation of the conflict and working towards its resolution by political and diplomatic means should be a complete cessation of foreign military assistance and the provision of intelligence information to Kyiv,” the Kremlin said.
While both leaders reached an initial agreement, details on how the ceasefire will be monitored and enforced remain uncertain. Putin’s insistence on halting Western military aid to Ukraine could pose a significant hurdle in maintaining the truce.
This temporary agreement marks a shift in the ongoing conflict, but whether it leads to broader peace negotiations remains to be seen.
The White House stated that this ceasefire is the first step toward broader peace negotiations, including discussions on maritime security in the Black Sea and other potential conflict areas.
Trump has suggested that a final settlement could involve territorial concessions by Ukraine and Russian control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. However, this remains a point of contention.
Ukraine rejects concessions
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, currently in Finland to discuss NATO support, firmly rejected any territorial compromises. He insists that Ukraine’s sovereignty is “non-negotiable” and that Russia must return all occupied land.
“Russia’s ambitions will not stop at Ukraine if they are allowed to keep what they have seized,” Zelenskiy warned.
Ongoing war and its impact
The war, Europe’s largest conflict since World War II, has led to hundreds of thousands of casualties, displaced millions, and devastated entire cities. While Trump’s ceasefire proposal aims to create a pathway to peace, deep divisions remain over the terms of a permanent resolution.
Negotiations will continue in the coming weeks, with both sides maintaining firm positions on key issues such as territory, foreign aid, and the future of Ukraine’s leadership.
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