Putin agrees halting attacks on Ukraine energy targets following Trump call but rejects immediate ceasefire

Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to a temporary halt on attacks targeting energy and infrastructure in Ukraine following a lengthy phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday. The White House confirmed the agreement but noted that Putin did not endorse a broader 30-day ceasefire, which Trump had proposed. The call, which lasted around two hours, marked the second time the two leaders spoke since Trump assumed office.

According to the White House, Trump suggested a mutual pause in attacks on energy infrastructure for 30 days, a proposal that Putin “responded positively” to. In response, the Kremlin stated that Putin had immediately ordered the Russian military to implement the agreed pause on energy strikes. However, the broader ceasefire that Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had hoped for—one that would encompass full cessation of hostilities—was not achieved in the conversation.

The White House clarified that the discussion focused on initiating peace efforts, beginning with the temporary suspension of energy and infrastructure attacks, while technical negotiations on other aspects of a potential ceasefire would continue. These discussions are expected to expand to maritime ceasefire terms in the Black Sea and broader peace talks in the Middle East.

While the decision to halt attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure marks the first agreement from Russia to cease specific strikes since the invasion began in 2022, the impact is significant. Ukraine’s energy grid has been one of the most frequent targets of Russian airstrikes, leading to widespread power outages, particularly in the winter months. In retaliation, Ukraine has targeted Russian oil facilities with long-range drones.

In his comments following the announcement, President Zelensky expressed support for the pause on energy strikes. He confirmed that Ukraine would honor the temporary ceasefire on energy targets as part of ongoing efforts for broader peace.

However, the conversation also underscored some of the challenges to achieving a full ceasefire. Putin emphasized the need for a halt to foreign military aid to Ukraine, a demand that was not addressed in the White House’s statement. Additionally, no mention was made of territorial concessions in either the Kremlin’s or the White House’s official descriptions of the call.

The phone call also touched on other international issues, with the leaders discussing potential cooperation in the Middle East and a proposed U.S.-Russia hockey match, illustrating the broader diplomatic context of the conversation. Despite the partial success in halting energy attacks, a full resolution to the conflict in Ukraine remains distant, with key issues, including territorial disputes, still unresolved.