Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump held a phone conversation on Tuesday, where Putin agreed to pause attacks on Ukrainian energy targets but refused to accept a full ceasefire and insisted on the West halting all military aid to Ukraine.
The call lasted over an hour and a half, with both leaders expressing hopes to mend relations that have been strained since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago. However, the call did not achieve the breakthrough Trump had anticipated, as Putin did not agree to the 30-day ceasefire proposed by the U.S., which Ukraine had already accepted.
In Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelensky voiced support for the energy ceasefire but emphasized that Putin’s refusal to agree to a broader peace deal indicated that he was not “ready” and still sought to “weaken” Ukraine.
Trump, however, maintained on his Truth Social network that he and Putin had reached an “understanding” to work toward a full ceasefire and, eventually, an end to the war.
The Kremlin made it clear that any full ceasefire was still a long way off and contingent upon Russia’s conditions, which both Ukraine and its Western allies would find difficult to accept.
A Kremlin statement confirmed that Putin agreed to pause strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure for 30 days and that he had already ordered his military to implement the pause. The White House also stated that both leaders agreed to begin peace talks, starting with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire.
Despite this, explosions and air raid sirens were heard in Kyiv shortly after the call, suggesting that Russia intended to continue its broader offensive.
Trump has remained focused on delivering on his election promise to end the war in Ukraine, blaming President Joe Biden’s policies for escalating the conflict. His surprise announcement in February about holding talks with Putin raised concerns among Western allies that he was aligning too closely with Moscow’s interests.
While Trump’s approach has unsettled European allies, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron, who reiterated their commitment to supplying Ukraine with military support, Trump has been vocal about seeking compromises. He has suggested discussing the “division” of certain Ukrainian assets, such as land and power plants, as part of the peace process.
Despite Ukraine’s acceptance of a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire and preferential access to its mineral resources, Putin continues to demand that the West completely halt its support for Ukraine. Russia has pressed forward with advances in southern and eastern Ukraine, and recently regained much of the Kursk region.
On Tuesday, Russia claimed that Ukrainian forces attempted a ground assault on Belgorod but were repelled, framing it as an attempt to disrupt Trump’s peace talks.
