Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted a proposal by U.S. President Donald Trump for a 30-day cessation of attacks on energy infrastructure between Russia and Ukraine, the Kremlin announced on Tuesday. This agreement followed an extended phone conversation between the two leaders.
According to a statement from the White House, both nations have agreed to initiate negotiations “immediately” in the Middle East to establish a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea. The White House readout stated, “The leaders agreed that the path to peace will start with a ceasefire focused on energy and infrastructure, alongside technical discussions to implement a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, leading to a full ceasefire and lasting peace.”
President Trump had been urging Putin to agree to a U.S.-supported 30-day ceasefire, which Ukraine had already accepted as a step toward a permanent resolution to Europe’s most significant conflict since World War II. The ongoing war has resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties, displaced millions, and devastated numerous towns and cities.
Putin, whose military launched an invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, expressed conditional support for the U.S.-proposed truce last week. However, he emphasized that Russian forces would continue fighting until key conditions were met. The agreement marks a potential step toward de-escalation, though challenges remain in achieving a comprehensive and lasting peace.
