Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump engaged in a two-hour phone call.
According to multiple news outlets, Russia has rejected a full ceasefire but agreed to a limited de-escalation, ceasing attacks on energy and infrastructure targets for a specified period.
Reuters reported that the Kremlin confirmed Putin’s acceptance of Trump’s proposal to halt attacks on energy infrastructure in both Russia and Ukraine for 30 days.
This decision came after what was described as a “lengthy phone discussion” between the two leaders, signaling a potential shift in the conflict’s trajectory.
The temporary pause aims to reduce the strain on civilian populations and critical systems as the war continues to disrupt daily life.
Complementing this, posts found on X, including one from user @CloseDanger, echoed the news, stating that Russia rejected a comprehensive ceasefire but committed to stopping attacks on energy and “infrastructure” broadly.
While X posts are not definitive evidence, they reflect the rapid spread of this development across social media, aligning with the Reuters account.
The Washington Post provided additional context, noting that Trump’s involvement marks a bold reentry into international diplomacy.
Sources familiar with the call, as cited by the Post, suggest that Trump pressed Putin on the humanitarian toll of targeting energy grids, particularly as spring approaches and reliance on power remains critical.
The 30-day suspension could serve as a testing ground for further negotiations, though Russian officials emphasized that broader military operations would persist.
Meanwhile, BBC News highlighted Ukraine’s cautious response.
Ukrainian officials, while welcoming any reprieve for their beleaguered infrastructure, expressed skepticism about Russia’s sincerity, given past breaches of similar agreements.
The BBC underscored that energy systems in Ukraine have been a primary target, leaving millions without heat or electricity during harsh winters—a factor likely influencing Trump’s focus during the call.
Analysts quoted by CNN suggested that this partial agreement might reflect strategic recalculations on both sides.
For Russia, avoiding energy warfare could preserve its own strained resources, while Trump’s intervention may bolster his administration’s image as a peacemaker.
However, CNN cautioned that without a full ceasefire, the underlying conflict remains unresolved, with frontline fighting likely to continue unabated.
The agreement’s scope remains a point of discussion. The term “infrastructure” appears loosely defined, potentially encompassing roads, bridges, and water systems alongside energy grids.
This ambiguity, as noted by The Guardian, could complicate enforcement and monitoring over the 30-day period. The Guardian also reported that Ukraine has agreed to reciprocate by halting its own strikes on Russian energy targets, though Kyiv has not officially confirmed this.
