Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made an announcement on Tuesday that Ukraine will back an American-proposed cessation of attacks against Russian energy sites. He even indicated he is interested in getting in touch with US President Donald Trump after Trump called Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Earlier, the White House had reported that Trump and Putin had come to a negotiated 30-day partial ceasefire in Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, and talks on an overall peace architecture would start at once.
Zelenskyy, speaking to journalists in a virtual press briefing, assured Ukraine’s support to abide by the ceasefire deal. “Ukraine and Russia can both be able not to hit energy infrastructure. Our side will provide support for this,” he told journalists. He reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to supporting efforts for a “stable and just peace.”
After the Putin-Trump phone call, Zelenskyy also called French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, both of whom are still major European allies. He emphasized the need for direct dialogue with Trump to get a complete picture of the details of the talks. “I think it will be right that we have a conversation with President Trump to learn exactly what the Russians proposed to the Americans or vice versa,” he said.
In addition, Zelenskyy held out the possibility that Ukraine’s foreign allies would continue to send vital military aid, even in the face of comments from Putin that any de-escalation of the war would need to include a cutoff of military and intelligence aid to Ukraine.
While diplomatic efforts pick up steam, Ukraine is willing but wary of negotiations that can de-escalate the present conflict while sustaining defense aid from Western countries.
