WASHINGTON – U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to a 30-day ceasefire on attacks targeting energy infrastructure in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the Kremlin announced Tuesday following an extensive phone call between the two leaders.
According to a White House statement, the ceasefire is part of a broader effort to initiate peace talks, with negotiations set to begin immediately in the Middle East regarding a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea.
“The leaders agreed that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementing a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire, and permanent peace,” the White House readout stated.
Step Toward a Permanent Peace Deal
Trump had been urging Putin to accept the U.S.-backed ceasefire, which Ukraine has already agreed to, as a stepping stone toward ending Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II. Since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, the war has resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties, displaced millions, and devastated entire towns.
While Putin previously expressed conditional support for Washington’s proposal, he maintained that Russian forces would continue fighting until key conditions were resolved.
With diplomatic efforts underway, the world watches to see whether this temporary truce could pave the way for a lasting peace agreement.