President Donald Trump brokered an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure for 30 days.
The breakthrough came during an extended phone call between the two leaders, during which Trump pushed for broader ceasefire terms while emphasizing the need for a lasting peace deal.
The White House described the agreement as the “first step in a movement to peace.” Further discussions are set to take place regarding a potential maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and additional peace negotiations in the Middle East.
Trump hailed the development as a major victory, stating, “We agreed to an immediate ceasefire on all Energy and Infrastructure, with an understanding that we will be working quickly to have a complete ceasefire and, ultimately, an END to this very horrible war between Russia and Ukraine.”
Putin, for his part, confirmed the ceasefire but maintained his stance on the conditions for a larger peace agreement.
The Kremlin reiterated that Russia wants Ukraine to withdraw from four annexed regions, abandon its NATO aspirations, and reduce its military forces—demands that Kyiv has fiercely opposed.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed skepticism over the Trump-Putin talks, noting that he was not fully briefed on the details of their conversation.
He made it clear that Ukraine was not willing to concede to Putin’s demands, particularly regarding foreign military aid. “We need to understand what the conversation is about,” Zelenskyy said. “What are the details? And hopefully, we will be fully informed.”
The strained relationship between Trump and Zelenskyy has been no secret. After a contentious White House meeting in February, Trump had temporarily cut off intelligence-sharing and some military aid to Ukraine.
He reinstated it after Ukrainian officials agreed to a separate 30-day ceasefire proposal. That proposal, backed by the U.S. and negotiated in Saudi Arabia, was meant to be a stepping stone toward a larger peace agreement.
Trump has been vocal about his belief that the war in Ukraine should have never happened and that it could have been resolved long ago through diplomatic means.
Following his call with Putin, he took to Truth Social, writing, “This war would have never started if I were President! Many elements of a Contract for Peace were discussed, including the fact that thousands of soldiers are being killed, and both President Putin and President Zelenskyy would like to see it end.”
Trump’s pursuit of peace comes at a time when many in Washington remain committed to prolonging U.S. involvement in the Ukraine conflict.
Some lawmakers, particularly those with ties to the military-industrial complex, have pushed back against Trump’s ceasefire efforts, fearing that a negotiated settlement could lead to a geopolitical shift in Russia’s favor.
Still, Trump’s direct engagement with Putin represents a dramatic shift from the Biden administration’s approach, which largely relied on military aid rather than diplomacy. By personally taking the lead in ceasefire negotiations, Trump is signaling that he intends to reshape America’s foreign policy—focusing on deal-making rather than endless conflict.
The temporary ceasefire on energy strikes is set to last 30 days, but the real question is whether it will pave the way for a broader peace deal. As Trump continues to navigate complex diplomatic waters, one thing is clear: his strategy is shaking up the status quo, and his push for peace is setting the stage for a radically different approach to the war in Ukraine.