A Partial Ceasefire Takes Shape
President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have brokered a deal for a partial ceasefire in Ukraine, announced after a 90-minute phone call on Tuesday. The agreement sees Moscow pausing attacks on Ukraine’s energy and infrastructure sites, ensuring safe passage for Ukrainian ships in the Black Sea, and committing to kick off peace talks “immediately.”
While it falls short of the 30-day full truce Trump proposed—and Ukraine accepted—last week, it marks a step toward de-escalation in the three-year conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s stance on the deal remains unclear, and his approval would be needed for any ceasefire, partial or otherwise, to hold.
The White House framed the call as a launchpad for broader negotiations, stating, “The two leaders agreed that a future with an improved bilateral relationship between the United States and Russia has a huge upside. This includes enormous economic deals and geopolitical stability when peace has been achieved.”
Trump took to social media, calling it “very good and productive,” and wrote, “My phone conversation today with President Putin of Russia was a very good and productive one. We agreed to an immediate ceasefire on all energy and infrastructure with an understanding that we would be working toward a complete ceasefire and, ultimately, an end to this very horrible war between Russia and Ukraine.”
Terms and Conditions Emerge
The Kremlin’s readout highlighted Putin’s positive response to Trump’s suggestions, noting he “responded positively” to halting energy and infrastructure strikes and securing Black Sea routes. Putin also pledged to release 23 seriously wounded Ukrainian soldiers from Russian hospitals and proceed with peace talks.
However, he laid out firm conditions for a lasting ceasefire, stating, “The key condition for preventing the escalation of the conflict and working toward its resolution through political and diplomatic means should be the complete cessation of foreign military aid and the provision of intelligence information to Kyiv.”
He further pressed Kyiv to end forced mobilization and military rearmament, raising these as “significant issues” that could derail a permanent truce.
Trump hinted at the complexity of the talks ahead, telling reporters Sunday on Air Force One, “We will be talking about power plants. I think a lot of it has already been discussed at length by both sides, Ukraine and Russia.”
He suggested negotiations could involve “dividing up certain assets” like land and facilities, including the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine and contested regions like Kursk, where Ukraine holds Russian territory, and areas of Ukraine under Russian control.
Meanwhile, Putin has long demanded Ukraine cede four southeastern regions and abandon NATO aspirations—conditions Zelenskyy has resisted, previously offering his resignation for peace or NATO membership.
Perspectives and Next Steps
Both leaders brought broader geopolitical angles to the table. The Kremlin noted agreement that “Iran should never be in a position to destroy Israel,” while Trump emphasized urgency, claiming, “This war would have never started if I were President!”
He added, “Many elements of a contract for peace were discussed including the fact that the thousands of soldiers are being killed and both President Putin and President Zelenskyy would like to see it end.
That process is now in full force and effect, and we will, hopefully, for the sake of humanity get the job done.”
On Monday, he told reporters Ukraine’s troops in Kursk were “in deep trouble,” framing his temporary halt on U.S. aid as leverage to push Kyiv toward compromise.
The White House confirmed talks would begin “immediately” in the Middle East, though specifics on timing and scope remain vague.
Putin, last week, voiced cautious openness to a ceasefire but stressed barring Ukraine from U.S. aid and mobilization as non-negotiable for lasting peace—positions echoed in Moscow’s rejection of European peacekeeper proposals.
Zelenskyy’s potential willingness to step down for security guarantees adds another layer to the already high stakes as negotiations loom.
