In a major diplomatic gesture, Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump on Tuesday agreed to a 30-day ceasefire from strikes on energy and infrastructure targets in Ukraine, with wider ceasefire talks to start right away, the White House said.
“These talks will get under way without delay in West Asia,” the White House said in a statement highlighting the potential economic and geopolitical rewards if relations between the US and Russia improve.
If implemented, the agreement would be a significant de-escalation of the three-year conflict. Although the Kremlin did not indicate a Ukrainian response, it agreed to Trump’s suggestion of a “mutual refusal” to strike energy infrastructure.
The agreement does not meet the all-encompassing 30-day truce the US had insisted upon and Ukraine had accepted.
“During the call, Donald Trump suggested that both parties to the conflict agree to refrain from strikes on energy facilities for 30 days. Vladimir Putin appreciated the proposal and immediately ordered the Russian military to abide by it,” the Kremlin said.
On the wider ceasefire initiative, Putin repeated previous concerns, underlining conditions for its enforcement. Russia, the Kremlin said, stressed the importance of close monitoring of a possible ceasefire on the front lines, a stop to forced mobilization in Ukraine, and an end to the rearmament of the country.
The deal represents a possible diplomatic breakthrough in de-escalating tensions, although the major issues are still open. It is uncertain how Ukraine will react and whether this temporary ceasefire might bring about a fuller peace deal.
