The White House confirms that President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have engaged in a 90-minute phone conversation focused on negotiating a limited ceasefire in Ukraine. The Kremlin has announced that Russia has agreed to a 30-day halt on strikes targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, while a prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine is set to take place tomorrow. This call marks the most significant diplomatic step between the two leaders since Trump took office, with growing pressure from both international allies and domestic critics urging an end to the ongoing war.
According to the White House, Trump has made ending the war in Ukraine a top foreign policy priority. The administration has worked to push Russia and Ukraine toward negotiations, particularly as Ukraine has already agreed to a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal. Until now, Moscow has resisted any formal agreement. However, sources familiar with the discussions say Trump’s approach has included talks about “dividing up certain assets” between the two countries, although specifics remain unclear.
Putin has indicated that Russia’s agreement to the limited ceasefire does not mean a full retreat from Ukraine but is instead meant to “ease tensions” and “allow humanitarian corridors to function more effectively.” Ukrainian officials have yet to formally respond to the ceasefire announcement but have repeatedly expressed skepticism about Russia’s intentions. The 30-day halt in strikes on Ukraine’s energy grid comes as Ukraine prepares for another challenging summer of rebuilding after continued missile attacks devastated key infrastructure.
The call between Trump and Putin signals a potential shift in diplomatic efforts, but key allies in NATO and the European Union remain wary of Russia’s commitments. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has emphasized that a temporary pause in hostilities is not enough and that Kyiv will only accept an agreement that ensures full territorial integrity.
This latest development follows weeks of behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meeting European leaders and Ukrainian officials to assess conditions for a broader peace agreement. Trump’s approach to the negotiations has drawn mixed reactions from both political parties in the U.S. While some Republican lawmakers have praised his efforts to open dialogue with Putin, others, including prominent members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, have warned against making concessions that could embolden Moscow.
With the prisoner swap scheduled to take place tomorrow and negotiations continuing, the international community is watching closely to see whether the proposed ceasefire leads to substantive progress or merely a temporary reduction in hostilities.
Sources:
- Wall Street Journal: WSJ
- Associated Press: AP News
- The Guardian: The Guardian
- Cadena SER: Cadena SER
- Politico: Politico
- NDTV: www.ndtv.com
- Sky News: Sky News
- New York Post: New York Post
