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In a lengthy call on Tuesday, President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a temporary halt in attacks on energy infrastructure in the Ukraine war. However, Putin did not endorse a broader 30-day ceasefire that the U.S. administration is advocating for.
The White House depicted the agreement as an initial step toward peace, which they hope will include a naval ceasefire in the Black Sea and a complete cessation of fighting. There was no indication that Putin has withdrawn his conditions for a potential peace deal, which are strongly opposed by Kyiv. Shortly after the call ended, air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv, followed by explosions. Local authorities advised the public to seek shelter.
Putin reiterated his demand during the call for a halt to foreign military and intelligence support for Ukraine, while Trump denied discussing aid during an interview with Fox News on Tuesday.
“We didn’t discuss aid,” Trump said. “We didn’t talk about aid at all.”
Russia also wants Ukraine to withdraw its troops from the four regions that Moscow has annexed but not fully captured. Ukraine would need to renounce NATO membership and significantly reduce its army. The Kremlin added that they are planning to exchange 175 prisoners of war with Ukraine and hand over 23 badly wounded soldiers.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine is willing to consider any proposals that lead to a sustainable and just peace, but stressed the need for transparency in the discussions.
Zelensky said he was seeking further details on what Putin and Trump agreed upon, but dismissed Putin’s demand to halt military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, warning that such a decision would weaken Ukraine’s position.
“We need to understand what the conversation is about,” Zelenskyy added. “What are the details? And hopefully, we will be fully informed, and our partners will discuss everything with us.”
He further noted, “There are two sides in this war — Russia and Ukraine. Trying to negotiate without Ukraine, in my view, will not be productive.”
Earlier this month, Ukrainian officials proposed a truce covering the Black Sea and long-range missile strikes, as well as the release of prisoners.
Trump immediately hailed the development as a significant step toward his ultimate goal of ending the war in Ukraine.
“We agreed to an immediate ceasefire on all energy and infrastructure, with the understanding that we will be working quickly to achieve a complete ceasefire and, ultimately, an end to this very horrific war between Russia and Ukraine,” Trump posted on social media.
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Source: http://www.africanews.com/2025/03/19/trump-and-putin-agree-on-limited-ceasefire-amid-ukraine-conflict/
