Former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to a limited ceasefire in Ukraine. The truce will focus on protecting energy and infrastructure facilities. Both leaders discussed the plan in a long phone call on Tuesday. Afterward, the White House and the Kremlin issued official statements confirming the agreement.
The White House described the ceasefire as a first step toward ending the war. Negotiations are expected to begin immediately. The U.S. hopes to expand the deal into a maritime truce in the Black Sea and work toward a full peace agreement. However, it is unclear whether Ukraine supports the ceasefire plan. U.S. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the talks in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Putin Pushes for an End to Foreign Military Aid
During the call, Putin urged Trump to stop all foreign military and intelligence support for Ukraine. According to the Kremlin’s statement, Moscow demands a complete halt to weapons shipments and intelligence sharing with Kyiv. Russian officials claim that this would help prevent further escalation in the war, which is now in its fourth year.
Trump and Putin reportedly spoke for over an hour. A White House official later said that the discussion was going well. Trump stated a day earlier that many details of a final agreement had already been settled, but more negotiations were needed. The talks covered several topics, including territorial disputes, energy resources, and how to divide key assets between Russia and Ukraine.
The Fate of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant
One of the key topics discussed was the future of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The facility, Europe’s largest nuclear plant, has been under Russian control since early in the war. The situation has raised global concerns about a possible nuclear disaster.
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Press Secretary Leavitt confirmed that American and Russian officials debated the plant’s future. Leavitt said the issue was part of the ongoing discussions with Ukraine. She also noted that Trump and Putin addressed the topic during their phone call.
Ukraine Responds to the Ceasefire Plan
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed skepticism about Putin’s intentions. He criticized Russia for prolonging the war and delaying peace efforts.
“The implementation of this proposal could have started long ago. Every day of war costs human lives,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly address. He added that Ukraine would not accept any ceasefire terms that undermined its sovereignty or territorial integrity.
Some Ukrainian officials believe the proposed ceasefire may be a strategy for Russia to regroup its forces. They argue that Russia has used past truces to strengthen its military positions before launching new offensives.
International Reactions and Concerns
The international community remains cautious about the ceasefire plan. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that while any step toward peace is welcome, a ceasefire that favors Russia could be dangerous. He warned that an agreement that does not guarantee Ukraine’s independence might only extend the conflict in the long run.
European Union officials also expressed concern. A spokesperson for the European Commission said the EU would monitor the situation closely. Some European leaders worry that stopping military aid to Ukraine could leave the country defenseless.
A Possible Turning Point or a Political Move?
Some experts believe Trump’s involvement in the talks signals a shift in U.S. foreign policy. Others see it as a political move ahead of the upcoming election. Trump has long been critical of U.S. support for Ukraine, arguing that American taxpayers should not fund foreign wars.
The agreement, if successful, could reshape global politics. However, its success depends on Ukraine’s position and whether Russia follows through on its promises.