Trump and Putin agree to 30-day energy truce in Ukraine during phone call
This combination of pictures created on March 18, 2025 shows President Donald Trump (L) on the phone on January 28, 2017 in Washington, and Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) on the phone Moscow on December 27, 2023. (AFP Photo)
In a significant diplomatic development, Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal for a 30-day mutual halt to attacks on energy infrastructure in Ukraine, according to a statement from the Kremlin following their two-and-a-half hour phone call.
The Kremlin said Putin has already instructed the Russian military to implement this temporary truce on energy targets, marking the first concrete step toward de-escalation since Trump’s inauguration in January.
“President Putin responded positively to President Trump’s proposal for both sides to suspend attacks on energy infrastructure for 30 days,” the Kremlin statement said.
The lengthy call between the two leaders also yielded agreement on a prisoner exchange, with Russia and Ukraine set to swap 175 prisoners from each side on March 19. In what the Kremlin described as a “gesture of goodwill,” 23 severely wounded Ukrainian soldiers currently receiving treatment in Russian medical facilities will be returned to Kyiv.
Trump’s initiative regarding shipping security in the Black Sea was also viewed favorably by Putin, with the Kremlin indicating negotiations on details would begin soon. Both leaders expressed interest in expanding security cooperation.
Russia outlines conditions for preventing further escalation
The Russian president outlined what he considers essential conditions for preventing further escalation of the conflict: a complete halt to foreign military aid to Ukraine, termination of intelligence support to Kyiv, effective monitoring of any potential ceasefire along the entire front line, and an end to mandatory mobilization in Ukraine.
“The leaders agreed to maintain bilateral contacts for a diplomatic solution to the Ukrainian crisis,” the Kremlin statement noted, adding that Russian and American expert groups would be formed for this purpose.
Putin reportedly thanked Trump for his efforts to end the conflict and expressed readiness to cooperate for a peaceful resolution. The two leaders plan to continue communication, according to the Kremlin.
The call represents a potential opening for diplomatic engagement between Washington and Moscow after years of severely strained relations over the Ukraine war.
