President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia has agreed to a limited cease-fire with Ukraine, halting strikes on energy infrastructure if Ukraine reciprocates. However, a broader 30-day halt in fighting was not agreed upon during a phone call with President Trump. The cease-fire would be the first mutually agreed suspension of attacks in the three-year war, with the White House considering it a first step towards broader peace.
A partial cease-fire would benefit both Ukraine, which faces repeated attacks on its energy grid, and Russia, which has seen extensive strikes on its oil and gas facilities by Ukraine. Mr. Putin’s condition for a long-lasting peace includes a complete cessation of foreign military and intelligence assistance to Kyiv.
Although the details of the call were vague, it did not mention discussions about territory or the fate of nuclear power plants. The Trump administration had temporarily suspended aid to Ukraine due to a confrontation between Mr. Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky, but restored it after agreeing to a 30-day cease-fire proposal. Mr. Putin’s requirements for the cease-fire may be unacceptable to Kyiv, including conditions on control, personnel mobilization, and disarmament.
The White House also discussed broader negotiations on a maritime cease-fire in the Black Sea and a permanent peace. Mr. Trump sees a Ukraine cease-fire as a first step towards normalization with Russia, despite opposition from NATO allies who advocate for sanctions and containment of Russia. Ukrainian officials accuse Mr. Putin of stalling to maintain leverage and continue attacks on Ukrainian cities.
While the specifics of the negotiations remain unclear, both sides are beginning to discuss potential paths towards a comprehensive peace agreement with the hope of ending the conflict in Ukraine.
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