Ukraine-Russia war latest: Putin rejects full ceasefire but halts strikes on energy targets after Trump call
Lengthy phone call between US and Russian presidents came as White House pushes for Kremlin to sign off on its 30-day ceasefire proposal to end Moscow’s three-year invasion of Ukraine
Vladimir Putin has rejected a full ceasefire but has agreed to halt attacks on energy targets in Ukraine after his call with Donald Trump.
The Russian and US presidents agreed during their phone call on Tuesday to seek a 30-day ceasefire against energy and infrastructure targets in Moscow’s war in Ukraine, according to the White House.
The White House described it as the first step in a "movement to peace" it hopes will eventually include a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and a full and lasting end to the fighting, adding that negotiations would "begin immediately" on those steps.
However, the Kremlin said Mr Putin told Mr Trump that the US and its allies must end military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine to halt hostilities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said later on Tuesday that Ukraine would support the US proposal to stop strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, and said he hoped to speak to Mr Trump about his talks with Mr Putin.
The call came as the White House pushes for the Kremlin to sign off on its 30-day ceasefire proposal to end Russia’s three-year invasion of Ukraine.
Putin agrees to halt strikes on Ukraine energy targets in high-stakes Trump call – but no full ceasefire
President Putin has outplayed President Trump – now it is not just Ukraine that is at stake
Ukraine left hamstrung by Trump-Putin talks – and can’t agree to their plan
US ‘deletes evidence’ of Russia’s kidnap of thousands of Ukranian children
Russia is preparing new Zaporizhzhia, Sumy and Kharkiv offensives, says Zelensky
Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Russia is preparing new offensives on Zaporizhzhia, Sumy and Kharkiv fronts in the coming months in order to exert maximum pressure on Ukraine.
The Ukrainian President has said his country is seeing the new buildup of Russian forces near its Sumy region.
Ukraine would support proposal to stop strikes on energy infrastructure, Zelensky says
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that Ukraine would support a US proposal to stop strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, and said he hoped to speak to US President Donald Trump about his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The White House said earlier that Putin and Trump agreed during a phone call to a limited 30-day ceasefire on energy infrastructure targets in Ukraine and that talks aimed at moving toward a broader peace plan would begin "immediately."
"I think it will be right that we will have a conversation with President Trump and we will know in detail what the Russians offered the Americans or what the Americans offered the Russians," Zelensky told reporters during an online briefing.
Trump confirms Putin agreed to immediate 30-day ceasefire on Ukraine energy targets
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to an immediate 30-day ceasefire on all energy infrastructure in Ukraine, Mr Trump has confirmed.
Trump says elements of Ukraine peace deal discussed in 'productive call' with Putin
US President Donald Trump said his call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday was "very good and productive," and that the two leaders discussed many elements of a peace deal for Ukraine.
"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," Trump said on Truth Social.
"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 added.
Trump agrees with Putin's idea of Russia-US ice hockey games, Kremlin says
Donald Trump has backed Vladimir Putin’s idea of organising ice hockey games in the US between Russian and US players, the Kremlin has said.
Russia and Ukraine are set for prisoner exchange tomorrow, Putin tells Trump
Vladimir Putin also told Donald Trump that Russia and Ukraine are set to exchange 175 prisoners of war each on Wednesday, the Kremlin has said.
It added that Russia will also hand over to Ukraine 23 badly wounded soldiers.
Ukraine yet to comment on Putin-Trump agreement
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has not yet commented on the agreement between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump during their phone call.
It was not immediately clear whether Ukraine is on board with the phased ceasefire plan.
Ukrainian officials last week agreed to the White House’s 30-day ceasefire proposal aimed at ending Russia’s invasion during talks in Saudi Arabia led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, however, remains skeptical that Putin is ready for peace as Russian forces continue to pound Ukraine.
Scholz welcomes halt on Ukraine energy facility strikes as 'first step'
Germany's outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz called a ceasefire on attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure agreed by US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin an important first step but said a total ceasefire must be next.
"The next step must be a complete ceasefire for Ukraine and as quickly as possible. Of course it is clear that we both agree on this too," said Scholz at a news conference in Berlin with French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday.
Scholz reiterated that there must not be no decision without Ukraine and above Ukraine's head.
Macron says Ukraine must take part in talks for peace to be achieved
French president Emmanuel Macron has said peace cannot be achieved without Ukraine taking part in ceasefire talks.
He issued the call while affirming that France has been among those promoting peace since day one.
Watch: Vladimir Putin makes joke about Donald Trump phone call
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
0Comments