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The development emerged from a 90-minute phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Putin, held on Tuesday afternoon local time. While the agreement falls short of the immediate 30-day ceasefire proposed by the U.S.\u2014and previously accepted by Ukraine following talks in Saudi Arabia last week\u2014Trump hailed it as progress. \u201cWe\u2019ve reached an understanding to work quickly toward a complete ceasefire and an end to this devastating war,\u201d he said. A White House statement detailed the plan: \u201cThe leaders agreed to start with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, followed by technical negotiations for a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, a full ceasefire, and permanent peace, with talks beginning immediately in the Middle East.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Kremlin described the exchange as \u201cdetailed and frank,\u201d noting Putin\u2019s swift order to the Russian military to pause energy strikes after Trump\u2019s proposal. Yet Russia\u2019s foreign ministry underscored Putin\u2019s broader conditions for a 30-day truce, insisting that \u201cthe complete cessation of foreign military aid and intelligence to Kyiv\u201d is critical to prevent escalation and enable a diplomatic resolution.<\/p>\n
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy supported the energy ceasefire but sought clarity on the U.S.-Russia discussions. \u201cI hope to speak with President Trump soon to understand exactly what was offered,\u201d he told Reuters while urging allies to maintain military aid despite Russia\u2019s demands. Earlier this month, Zelenskyy had reluctantly agreed to the U.S.\u2019s 30-day ceasefire proposal after Washington briefly cut intelligence and aid, pressuring Kyiv with threats of a full withdrawal.<\/p>\n
European leaders voiced concerns over the process. In separate statements, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized that no ceasefire can succeed without Ukraine\u2019s direct involvement. \u201cThere cannot be an agreement without Ukraine,\u201d Scholz said, calling for a swift, comprehensive truce.<\/p>\n
Additional measures signal tentative goodwill. Russia\u2019s foreign ministry announced a prisoner exchange set for Wednesday, with each side releasing 175 detainees and transferring 23 seriously injured Ukrainian soldiers from Russian hospitals. Both nations hinted at improving relations, with the White House suggesting \u201cenormous economic deals\u201d post-peace and Russia noting Trump\u2019s support for Putin\u2019s idea of ice hockey matches between U.S. and Russian league players.<\/p>\n
Despite the optimism, doubts linger. Ukraine fears Russia could exploit the pause to regroup, while Putin\u2019s conditions challenge Western commitments. The path to a broader peace remains uncertain as negotiations shift to the Middle East.<\/p>\n