Moscow (TDI): Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to halt attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure for 30 days.
The decision was announced after his telephone conversation with President Donald Trump on Tuesday.
According to the Kremlin and the White House, the talks between the two presidents covered a broader peace plan.
The Russian President ordered the military to halt attacks on the energy infrastructure of Ukraine, meanwhile raising concerns that this pause might allow the Ukraine to mobilize forces and rearm itself.
President Putin expressed his willingness to thoroughly work out possible solutions in cooperation with the American partners, aimed at reaching a settlement.
He emphasized a long-term settlement that would be “comprehensive, reliable, and lasting, and, naturally, take into account the essential need to eliminate the root causes of the crisis,” as well as ensuring Russia’s legitimate security interests.
Read More: Trump to Discuss Ukraine War with Putin Tuesday
He further emphasized that any long-term solution to the conflict would require an end to all military assistance and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
Regarding the deplorable situation of Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region, Kremlin stated that President Vladimir Putin ensured President Trump that “the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine would live and be treated fairly in accordance with Russian legislation and international law in the event of surrender.”
He further agreed with the suggestion of President Donald Trump to implement a well-known proposal regarding the safety of navigation in the Black Sea.
.@POTUS on his “great call” with President Putin: “You have a situation where you have a lot of guns pointing at each other, foolishly… because it would have never happened if I were president… we want to get it over with.” pic.twitter.com/nuw4AeUHLb
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 18, 2025
As a goodwill gesture, President Putin agreed to a prisoner exchange on March 19, where both Russia and Ukraine would be swapping 175 people.
He further informed the US President that the 23 critically wounded Ukrainian soldiers, who have been receiving aid at Russian medical facilities will also be repatriated.
The Russian President also raised concerns over the risks of the “intractability of the Kiev regime, which had repeatedly sabotaged and violated negotiated agreements.”
US-Russia Growing Ties
According to the White House, President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin stressed the need for improved bilateral relations between the United States and Russia.
They agreed that “a future with an improved bilateral relationship between the United States and Russia has huge upside,” which includes enormous economic deals and geopolitical stability.
Both Presidents agreed that the Russia-Ukraine conflict needed to end with a lasting peace.
“The blood and treasure that both Ukraine and Russia have been spending in this war would be better spent on the needs of their people,” the White House stated.
Earlier, the US President had hinted that a permanent peace deal could include territorial concessions by Ukraine.
Moreover, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the limited ceasefire agreement and said that around 40 Russian “Shahed” drones already have violated Ukraine’s airspace.
He further stated, “It is these types of nighttime attacks by Russia that destroy our energy sector, our infrastructure, and the normal life of Ukrainians. And the fact that this night is no exception shows that the pressure on Russia must continue for the sake of peace.”
Right now, in many regions, you can literally hear what Russia truly needs. Around 40 “Shahed” drones are in our skies, and air defense is active.
Unfortunately, there have been hits, specifically on civilian infrastructure. A direct hit by a “Shahed” drone on a hospital in… pic.twitter.com/TKTeB9gaZy
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 18, 2025
He further urged the countries to reject any attempts by Putin to prolong the war and proposed sanctions against Russia.
“Sanctions against Russia. Assistance to Ukraine. Strengthening allies in the free world and working toward security guarantees. And only a real cessation of strikes on civilian infrastructure by Russia, as proof of its willingness to end this war, can bring peace closer,” he said.
Read More: Ukraine Agrees to 30-Day Ceasefire in Talks with U.S.
Earlier, President Zelenskyy had criticized Russia for postponing the ceasefire and said that an unconditional ceasefire would save lives and allow diplomats to work on ensuring security and a lasting peace.
He suggested that “Pressure is needed to finally make Moscow accept that their war must be brought to an end.”
The Ukrainian President also demanded the presence of European countries at the negotiation table and said that European security must be decided together with Europe.
European States Demand a Permanent Ceasefire
The European countries have demanded a permanent ceasefire and securing security guarantees for Ukraine.
According to the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, “The announced call to arms against attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure can be a first step toward a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. The next step must be a complete ceasefire—and as quickly as possible.”
Die angekündigte Waffenrufe für Angriffe auf die ukrainische Energieinfrastruktur kann ein erster Schritt auf dem Weg zu einem gerechten und dauerhaften Frieden für die Ukraine sein. Der nächste Schritt muss ein vollständiger Waffenstillstand sein – und das möglichst schnell.
— Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) March 18, 2025
British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, had proposed that all countries “must work together to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position to secure a just and lasting peace.”
Read More: PM Starmer hosts Summit on Ukraine, signs £1.6bn Defence Deal
On the other hand, the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, has warned that Russia had expanded its defense production intending to confront European democracies in the future.
After the Leaders’ Summit on Ukraine, several European leaders including the European Commission formulated the “porcupine strategy,” thereby agreeing to support the plan of strengthening Ukraine and its Armed Forces following against Russia.
