Washington/Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to a temporary halt in strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure but refused to endorse a full 30-day ceasefire, a move U.S. President Donald Trump had hoped would serve as a stepping stone toward a broader peace agreement.
Ukraine confirmed its support for the limited ceasefire, which requires both nations to refrain from targeting each other’s energy facilities for a month. Analysts suggest Putin’s decision is a strategic maneuver to buy time while Russian forces continue their offensive in eastern Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin agreed to stop attacking Ukrainian energy facilities for 30 days but did not endorse a full month-long ceasefire proposed by the US. Kyiv also said it would be willing to consider the limited ceasefire https://t.co/6RAW7CIpPD pic.twitter.com/bJdA20gfyi
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 19, 2025
Talks on Broader Ceasefire and Black Sea Security
The White House announced that discussions on a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, as well as broader negotiations toward a full ceasefire and eventual peace deal, would commence immediately. These talks, set to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, were reportedly arranged following a lengthy phone call between Trump and Putin.
However, it remains unclear whether Ukraine will be directly involved in these negotiations. Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, expressed optimism, stating, “Until now, consensus on these aspects—energy infrastructure ceasefire and Black Sea security—was elusive. Today, we reached that point, and from here, the path to a full ceasefire is relatively short.”
The Kremlin has yet to respond to Witkoff’s remarks (at the time of publishing this article).
Putin’s Justification and Ukraine’s Response
Following his conversation with Trump, Putin ordered the Russian military to suspend attacks on Ukraine’s energy sites. However, he expressed concerns that a temporary truce could allow Ukraine to strengthen its defenses and mobilize additional troops. The Kremlin reiterated Putin’s stance that any resolution must include a cessation of Western military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine.
Trump told Fox News that U.S. aid to Ukraine was not discussed during his call with Putin.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomed the agreement to halt attacks on energy facilities but criticized Putin’s refusal to commit to a full ceasefire.
“Today, Putin de facto rejected the proposal for a complete ceasefire. The world must reject any of his attempts to prolong this war,” Zelenskiy stated on Telegram.
Zelenskiy also reported that Russian forces had launched more than 40 drones overnight, striking a hospital in Sumy and other areas, including the Kyiv region.
Trump’s Perspective on the Talks
Trump, who has had a complex relationship with Zelenskiy, spoke positively about his conversation with Putin, describing it as “a great call” that lasted nearly two hours. Despite this, he did not achieve his goal of securing a full 30-day ceasefire—an agreement Ukraine had already accepted but Russia rejected.
Kristine Berzina, a managing director at the German Marshall Fund, commented on the challenges ahead. “This call highlights how difficult Russia will be as a negotiating partner and its reluctance to make meaningful concessions. The limited ceasefire is only a very small step forward.”
Implications of the Energy Ceasefire
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine has conducted drone and missile strikes on Russian territory, including energy sites, in an effort to weaken Moscow’s economic stability. Russian officials have labeled these strikes as acts of terrorism.
Experts warn that the energy ceasefire may primarily benefit Russia. Maria Snegovaya, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, noted, “A ceasefire on energy infrastructure will likely stabilize Russia’s domestic situation while allowing its military operations to continue unabated.”
Potential Path to Peace?
After the call, Trump expressed optimism about moving toward a long-term resolution.
“Many elements of a Contract for Peace were discussed, including the significant loss of life on both sides. Both President Putin and President Zelenskiy want to see an end to this war,” Trump wrote on social media.
Ukraine had signaled its willingness to implement a full 30-day ceasefire as early as March 11, a move that U.S. officials viewed as a precursor to substantial negotiations. The ongoing conflict, Europe’s largest since World War II, has resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties, mass displacement, and widespread devastation.
Trump has hinted that a permanent peace deal may involve territorial concessions by Kyiv and control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Zelenskiy, however, has repeatedly emphasized that Ukraine’s sovereignty is non-negotiable and that all Russian-occupied territories must be returned.
During an official visit to Helsinki shortly after Trump and Putin’s call, Zelenskiy insisted that Europe must be included in any peace talks regarding Ukraine’s future.
U.S. Policy Shift Raises Concerns Among Allies
Trump’s engagement with Putin has unsettled European leaders, many of whom view Russia’s invasion as an attempt to expand its influence through force.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that Russia has significantly increased its military-industrial production, preparing for what she called “future confrontations with European democracies.”
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Germany’s outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz, speaking at a press conference alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, acknowledged the limited ceasefire as a step forward but insisted that Ukraine must be part of any final settlement.
Russia’s Demands and Ukraine’s Future
Since its 2014 annexation of Crimea and the 2022 invasion that led to the occupation of large parts of eastern Ukraine, Russia has demanded that Ukraine abandon its aspirations to join NATO and recognize Russian control over seized territories. Putin has also called for Western sanctions to be lifted and for Ukraine to hold a presidential election.
Under martial law due to the war, Zelenskiy has remained in office without an election, maintaining that free and fair elections are impossible under current conditions.
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The ceasefire on energy infrastructure marks a momentary pause in hostilities, but the broader conflict remains unresolved. Whether this agreement will pave the way for meaningful peace negotiations remains uncertain.
