Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin took the first steps toward ending the war between Russia and Ukraine as they agreed to an ‘energy and infrastructure ceasefire.’
The partial ceasefire agreement will be in effect for 30 days. Talks for a permanent peace will ‘begin immediately’ in the Middle East.
‘The leaders agreed that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace. These negotiations will begin immediately in the Middle East,’ the White House said in its readout of the call.
But Putin had conditions for a permanent end to the fighting, saying he wants the United States and its allies to end military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine to halt hostilities, according to the Kremlin readout.
European allies, however, are worried that could result in Moscow rearming itself during a ceasefire, leaving Kyiv short handed and playing catchup.
‘Both leaders agreed this conflict needs to end with a lasting peace,’ the White House said.
In other news out of Tuesday’s phone call, Putin agreed to send back 23 critically injured Ukrainian prisoners.
Additionally, the two leaders stressed the need for improved bilateral relations between the United States and Russia. They also agreed Iran should never be in a position to destroy Israel, the White House said.
And Trump supports Putin’s idea for an ice hockey game between U.S. and Russian players, the Kremlin noted.
Their call lasted about two hours, beginning around 10 am ET and concluding at noon. Trump spoke from the Oval Office, where he was joined by Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Europe must be a part of any negotiations on a permanent ceasefire.
‘Europe must be at the negotiating table, and everything that concerns European security must be decided together with Europe,’ he said in a statement.
Tuesday morning’s call was the first known conversation between Trump and Putin since Ukraine agreed last week to support a U.S.-backed 30-day ceasefire as long as Russia does the same.
Trump went into the call confident he could get a ceasefire deal.
‘We can work a peace agreement, a ceasefire and peace and I think we’ll be able to do it,’ he said on Monday.
The White House did not rule out any option to get its deal – whether it’s conceding to Russian wishes to hold onto Ukrainian territory or threatening the Kremlin with sanctions.
‘All options are on the table,’ National Security Adviser Mike Waltz said before the call. ‘Absolutely.’
The White House had said sanctions were an option if Tuesday’s conversation didn not go as President Trump hoped.
‘It’s something the president has floated, and certainly he’s willing to do that if necessary,’ White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in her briefing on Monday.
Another option the administration has been considering is recognizing Ukraine’s Crimea region as Russian territory, Semafor reported.
Negotiators have already discussed ‘dividing up certain assets’ in order to end the three-year-old war, Trump said on Air Force One on Sunday.
Part of the old Soviet Union, Crimea was recognized as part of Ukraine when that country was formed in 1991.
But Putin has long seen Crimea as his nation’s territory.
In 2014, the peninsula on the coast of the Black Sea was occupied by Russian forces and annexed by Moscow, but most countries recognize Crimea as Ukrainian territory.
Russia was expelled from the G8 – as it was known then – for its aggressive actions in taking the region. Many countries – including the United States – also slapped economic sanctions on Moscow for the move.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is firmly against any territorial concessions and European allies could back him.
He has said Putin cannot be trusted.
Ahead of their conversation, Trump said he planned to discuss land and power plants with Putin.
‘We’ll be talking about land. A lot of land is a lot different than it was before the war, as you know. We’ll be talking about land, we’ll be talking about power plants, that’s a big question,’ he said.
The power plant in question is the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in southern Ukraine.
The six-reactor nuclear plant is Europe’s largest. Russia seized control of it early in the war and still has it in their possession.
The plant has not supplied power to Ukraine’s grid since its capture. But its proximity to frontline fighting has raised concerns about the risk of a radiological disaster.
And the Ukrainians want it back.
As part of the talks, Russia also wants reassurances Ukraine won’t be made a member of NATO.
And Moscow has rejected any attempt by Western countries to put troops in Ukraine, even after a peace deal, as a peace-keeping force.
Zelensky, for his part, has accused Putin of dragging his feet. But his team also has warned Ukraine won’t make a deal at any price.
The White House, however, remained optimistic.
‘We have never been closer to a peace deal than we are at this moment,’ Leavitt told reporters on Monday. ‘The president, as you know, is determined to get one done.’
