Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to a 30-day halt on strikes targeting energy facilities in Ukraine but refused a full ceasefire, following a lengthy phone call with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, the White House said.
The Kremlin confirmed that Putin had ordered Russian forces to suspend attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure after the discussion with Trump. However, he expressed concerns that such a move could allow Ukraine to regroup militarily, reiterating his demand that any resolution must involve an end to Western military and intelligence support for Kyiv.
The temporary agreement was reached after what Trump described as a "great call" lasting nearly two hours. However, the Russian leader declined to commit to a broader ceasefire, despite Ukraine's willingness to observe a 30-day truce.
The White House stated that talks on a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, a wider cessation of hostilities, and a permanent peace settlement would commence immediately. However, it remained unclear whether Ukraine would be involved in these negotiations, which are set to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday.
Ukraine cautious over limited truce
Reacting to the development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomed the pause in attacks on energy infrastructure but criticised Putin’s rejection of a comprehensive ceasefire.
"Today, Putin de facto rejected the proposal for a complete ceasefire. It would be right for the world to reject in response any attempts by Putin to drag out the war," Zelenskiy wrote on Telegram.
The Ukrainian leader also reported fresh Russian attacks on Tuesday night, with over 40 drones striking multiple locations, including a hospital in Sumy and areas in the Kyiv region.
Ukraine has conducted several drone and missile strikes on Russian energy facilities in recent months, as part of efforts to weaken Moscow’s war effort. Analysts suggest that a ceasefire targeting such infrastructure could benefit Russia by reducing economic pressure on its energy sector.
US allies wary of Trump’s approach
Trump’s latest diplomatic efforts have sparked concerns among European allies, who fear the US president is conceding too much to Russia without securing substantial commitments in return.
"The limited ceasefire is a very small step forward, but it also highlights how unwilling Russia is to engage in real progress towards ending the war," said Kristine Berzina, a managing director at the German Marshall Fund think tank.
Reports indicate that Trump has privately suggested a final peace agreement could involve territorial concessions by Ukraine, including Russian control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. However, Kyiv has repeatedly rejected any settlement that cedes Ukrainian land to Moscow.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that Russia had significantly ramped up its military production capacity, suggesting that Moscow was preparing for "future confrontation with European democracies."
Broader geopolitical implications
The Trump-Putin call came as Israel resumed its offensive against Hamas in Gaza, further complicating international diplomatic efforts.
According to the White House, the two leaders also discussed the situation in the Middle East and agreed that Iran "should never be in a position to destroy Israel."
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, speaking in Berlin alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, acknowledged the importance of the limited ceasefire but insisted that Ukraine must be involved in any future decisions regarding peace negotiations.
Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, currently controls about 20 per cent of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, which it annexed in 2014. Putin has demanded that Ukraine abandon its ambitions to join NATO, while also calling for Western sanctions to be eased.
