Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump held a lengthy call on Tuesday, during which they agreed to halt attacks on Ukrainian energy targets. However, Putin refused to accept an immediate full ceasefire and insisted that the West cease all military aid to Ukraine.
The two leaders spoke for over an hour and a half, both expressing hopes of mending the strained relations caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine three years ago. Despite the anticipation, the call did not result in the breakthrough Trump had hoped for, as Putin did not agree to the 30-day ceasefire proposed by Washington, which Ukraine had already accepted.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed support for the energy truce but emphasized that Putin’s refusal of a broader peace deal showed he was still unwilling to end the conflict and continued to seek ways to weaken Ukraine.
Trump, in a post on Truth Social, stated that the two leaders had “an understanding that we will be working quickly to have a Complete Ceasefire and, ultimately, an END to this very horrible War.” However, the Kremlin made it clear that any full ceasefire would take time and be contingent on Russian demands, particularly the cessation of Western military support to Ukraine—something both Ukraine and its Western allies would likely find unacceptable.
The Kremlin confirmed that Putin had ordered a pause in strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure for 30 days, and both sides agreed that peace efforts would begin with a ceasefire focused on energy and infrastructure. Meanwhile, air raid sirens blared in Kyiv shortly after the call, signaling that Russia was continuing its broader offensive.
Trump and Putin also agreed to initiate broader truce talks immediately, with the White House citing the potential benefits of improving US-Russia relations. However, the Kremlin stressed that any peace agreement would require an end to Western military and intelligence support for Ukraine.
Explosions were reported in Kyiv a few hours after the call, signaling Russia’s ongoing military pressure. Trump, determined to fulfill his campaign promise to end the war, has blamed President Joe Biden’s policies for escalating the conflict with Russia. His surprise announcement in February of talks with Putin raised concerns among Western allies, with many fearing he was shifting too far in Russia’s favor.
While Trump’s efforts to mediate a peace deal have raised eyebrows, European leaders remain skeptical of Putin’s readiness for a ceasefire. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed their commitment to providing military aid to Ukraine, with Scholz stating, “Ukraine can count on us.”
There are growing concerns among Western allies that Trump may push through a deal that disproportionately favors Russia at Ukraine’s expense. Over the weekend, Trump suggested discussing the “dividing up” of Ukraine’s land and resources, including its power plants. Although Ukraine has already agreed to a 30-day ceasefire under US pressure and is accepting preferential access to its mineral resources, Putin’s demands for the West to halt all support for Ukraine remain a major obstacle to peace.
Meanwhile, Russian forces have continued their advance in southern and eastern Ukraine, reclaiming much of the Kursk region, which had been seized by Ukraine in the past year. On Tuesday, Russia claimed that Ukrainian forces attempted a ground assault in the Belgorod region but were repelled, presenting it as an effort to derail the Trump-led talks.
The situation remains tense, with the potential for further escalation or diplomatic breakthroughs still hanging in the balance.
AFP
