Putin Agrees to Pause Ukraine Energy Strikes in Call with Trump, No Full Ceasefire
Putin Rejects Full Ceasefire in Ukraine but Agrees to Halt Energy Attacks After Trump Call
Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed calls for an immediate, full ceasefire in Ukraine, agreeing only to pause attacks on energy infrastructure following a conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Despite recent U.S.-brokered talks in Saudi Arabia, where Ukrainian officials accepted a proposed 30-day ceasefire, Putin insisted that a comprehensive truce could only be achieved if foreign military aid and intelligence support to Ukraine ceased—terms previously rejected by Kyiv’s European allies.
Following the Trump-Putin call, U.S. envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff confirmed that negotiations on Ukraine would continue in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday.
As the war enters its third year, Russia has regained territory in its Kursk region after repelling a Ukrainian incursion from six months ago. Tuesday’s call between Trump and Putin marks a shift in Washington’s stance, with the U.S. now prioritizing an energy ceasefire over the broader truce it previously sought. However, both leaders agreed to continue peace talks in the Middle East.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking from Helsinki after the Trump-Putin call, acknowledged the discussions on an energy ceasefire but demanded further details. Hours later, he accused Putin of rejecting a broader ceasefire after fresh Russian drone strikes targeted a hospital in Sumy and power facilities in Slovyansk.
“Unfortunately, civilian infrastructure has been hit,” Zelensky posted on X. “Putin effectively rejected the full ceasefire proposal.”
Trump, however, described his conversation with Putin as “very good and productive,” stating on Truth Social that “many elements of a Contract for Peace were discussed.” He emphasized that the energy ceasefire was a starting point, with plans for broader negotiations leading to “an END to this very horrible War between Russia and Ukraine.”
Ukraine’s energy sector has suffered massive devastation, with Zelensky previously estimating that 80% of its infrastructure had been destroyed by Russian strikes. Kyiv has retaliated with drone and missile attacks on Russian oil and gas facilities.
Despite Putin’s agreement to halt attacks on energy sites, both Russia and Ukraine accused each other of launching new airstrikes. Ukrainian officials reported over 40 Russian drone attacks in the hours following the Trump-Putin call, while Russian authorities claimed a Ukrainian drone strike caused a fire at an oil depot in Krasnodar.
The Kremlin reiterated that any lasting peace agreement would require an end to foreign support for Ukraine. Trump and Putin agreed to initiate technical-level discussions for a long-term resolution, though it remains unclear whether this means direct U.S.-Russia talks or separate negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.
Meanwhile, European leaders cautiously welcomed the limited ceasefire proposal. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described it as “an important first step,” while UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reassured Zelensky of Britain’s continued support.
However, Kyiv is likely to view the developments as a stalling tactic by Putin, who has previously demanded that Russia retain control of occupied Ukrainian territories and called for Western sanctions to be lifted as part of any peace deal.
The Kremlin’s statement following the Trump-Putin call also included an unexpected detail—Trump reportedly supported Putin’s idea of holding U.S.-Russia ice hockey matches, a symbolic gesture as Russia remains banned from international tournaments since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
As negotiations continue, the latest developments suggest a shifting U.S. position, with Putin seeking to test Trump’s willingness to curtail support for Ukraine while keeping pressure on Kyiv to accept Russian demands.
