Trump and Putin Agree to Partial Ceasefire in Ukraine
During a telephone conversation, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed that peace talks on the Russia-Ukraine war should begin immediately and that the parties should first cease fire on energy and infrastructure.
According to the White House on social media platform X, on 18 March, the leaders spoke for an hour and a half about ‘the need for peace and a ceasefire in the Ukraine war’ and agreed that the move towards peace ‘will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace.’
‘These negotiations will begin immediately in the Middle East,’ the statement said.
‘Both leaders agreed this conflict needs to end with a lasting peace. They also stressed the need for improved bilateral relations between the United States and Russia,’ the White House said.
At the same time, the Kremlin said that Putin had already ordered the military to stop strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure for 30 days.
It also said that during the phone conversation, the Russian president announced a 175-for-175 prisoner exchange with Ukraine.
The Kremlin's press service noted that the Russian side insists on the cessation of foreign military assistance and the provision of intelligence information to Ukraine.
In addition, according to the White House, Trump and Putin discussed the Middle East as a region of potential cooperation to prevent future conflicts.
They also discussed 'the need to stop proliferation of strategic weapons and will engage with others to ensure the broadest possible application’.
‘The two leaders agreed that a future with an improved bilateral relationship between the United States and Russia has huge upside. This includes enormous economic deals and geopolitical stability when peace has been achieved,’ the statement said.
As The Gaze reported, during the talks with the US in Saudi Arabia, Ukraine agreed to an immediate 30-day ceasefire, provided that Russia also takes this step. The parties ‘agreed that it was time to start the process of establishing a lasting peace’.