Putin Suspends Energy Strikes for 30 Days After Trump Proposal, but Ceasefire Remains Unresolved

Vladimir Putin ordered Russian forces to suspend attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure for 30 days following a suggestion from Donald Trump. However, Putin refused to agree to a full ceasefire, citing concerns about implementing the agreement and the risks involved, especially regarding Kyiv's compliance. During the conversation, Trump proposed the potential division of "lands" and "power plants" between Ukraine and Russia, suggesting that these issues could be resolved in a peace settlement. However, Putin did not fully embrace this proposal, arguing that there were significant issues at stake and concerns about ensuring Ukraine’s compliance with the agreement.

The Russian president also made it clear that, for the conflict to end and move toward a peaceful solution, the key condition would be the total cessation of military support and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. Additionally, Putin emphasized the need to address Russia's legal security interests as a fundamental part of any negotiation to end the crisis. For his part, Trump expressed a willingness to continue pushing for peace, highlighting that his ceasefire proposal and other negotiations should address essential issues like energy security and the situation in the Black Sea.

The discussions between the two leaders also extended to potential cooperation in areas such as energy security, maritime security in the Black Sea, and joint efforts to stabilize regions in the Middle East. Putin and Trump agreed to hold further talks on these issues and explore bilateral partnerships in sectors like economics and energy. They also discussed the possibility of hosting international ice hockey games between the two nations, with players from both countries participating.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains under pressure from Trump to make concessions and engage in negotiations with Russia, a move that has drawn both domestic and international criticism regarding Trump’s stance toward Moscow. While the US president has threatened to impose new sanctions if Putin does not engage in peace talks, he remains committed to his promise of ending the war in Ukraine, making it a central priority in his 2024 presidential campaign.