Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a 30-day ceasefire on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure but did not extend this truce to active frontlines or civilian populations. This decision came following a call between Putin and President Donald Trump, where they agreed that moving towards peace would start with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire. Trump had intended to push Putin to agree to an unconditional ceasefire, but ultimately, they settled on a temporary ceasefire on energy and infrastructure with negotiations for a full ceasefire and permanent peace to follow.
After the call, Trump announced on Truth Social that the conversation with Putin was productive and that they had agreed to an immediate ceasefire on energy and infrastructure with the goal of achieving a complete ceasefire and ending the war between Russia and Ukraine. Despite Ukraine agreeing to a ceasefire upon Russia’s agreement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed skepticism over Putin’s intentions in ending the war. A Ukrainian lawmaker also questioned the significance of a ceasefire on energy infrastructure at the end of winter, given Russia’s history of targeting Ukraine’s energy sector during the winter.
Putin also agreed to a 175-prisoner swap with Ukraine and the return of 23 severely wounded Ukrainian servicemen being treated in Russian hospitals. The Kremlin’s readout following the call indicated that Putin was guided by humanitarian considerations in allowing the surrender of Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region and providing decent treatment in accordance with international law. However, there are concerns about potential violations of the ceasefire commitment by Russia, with the possibility of blaming Ukraine for any breaches.
Zelenskyy’s office did not immediately respond to questions following the call between Trump and Putin, and NATO and EU officials refrained from commenting on the talks. Rebekah Koffler, a former DIA intelligence officer and author of “Putin’s Playbook,” noted that Putin’s commitment to stop strikes on Ukrainian critical infrastructure was the most significant outcome of the call. While there is a possibility of Russia violating this commitment and shifting blame to Ukraine, initially, the ceasefire agreement appeared positive on the surface.
The call between Trump and Putin also focused on a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, setting the stage for further negotiations on peace efforts. Trump emphasized the importance of ending the conflict for the sake of humanity and expressed hope for achieving this goal. Zelenskyy, however, remains cautious about Putin’s intentions, highlighting the Russian leader’s role in prolonging the war. The conversations and agreements reached during the call indicate a potential step towards peace in the region, but uncertainties remain about the implementation and sustainability of these ceasefire measures.
