193-2025 (MOSCOW) Russian President Vladimir Putin has consented to a 30-day suspension of attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure following telephone discussions with US President Donald Trump, though he declined to embrace a more comprehensive ceasefire arrangement.
The Kremlin confirmed that Putin instructed Russian military forces to halt strikes against energy facilities after Tuesday’s extensive conversation between the two leaders. However, the Russian president expressed reservations about Ukraine potentially using any broader truce to bolster its military capabilities and rearm.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded critically to the limited nature of the agreement, highlighting continued Russian drone operations, including those targeting Kyiv, as evidence of Putin’s lack of genuine interest in peace. “These types of nighttime attacks by Russia destroy our energy sector, our infrastructure, and the normal life of Ukrainians,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media. “The fact that this night is no exception shows that the pressure on Russia must continue for the sake of peace.”
Putin emphasised during his conversation with Trump that “the key condition for preventing the escalation of the conflict and working towards its resolution through political and diplomatic means should be the complete cessation of foreign military aid and the provision of intelligence information to Kyiv,” according to Kremlin statements.
The White House reported that both leaders agreed to commence discussions “immediately” regarding a potential maritime truce and broader ceasefire arrangements in the Middle East. Trump characterised the exchange as “very good and productive” on his Truth Social platform.
Energy infrastructure has been consistently targeted throughout Russia’s full-scale invasion, with Moscow’s strikes regularly causing widespread power outages across Ukraine, disrupting essential services including heating, water distribution, sewage systems and public health facilities. Just hours before the announcement, thousands of central Ukrainian residents were left without electricity following a nationwide Russian attack involving more than 130 drones that damaged critical infrastructure.
Ukrainian forces have increasingly targeted Russian refineries, oil depots and industrial sites since January, with these operations reportedly reducing Russian refining capacity by up to 10 percent during peak weeks in February, according to Reuters analysis.
European leaders maintained their commitment to supporting Ukraine despite the diplomatic developments. French President Emmanuel Macron declared, “We will continue to support the Ukrainian army in its war of resistance against Russian aggression,” while outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz affirmed, “Ukraine can count on us, Ukraine can count on Europe and we will not let [Kyiv] down.”
Analysts suggest Kyiv remains cautious about the limited scope of the proposal. Al Jazeera’s Alan Fisher reported from Washington that “The Ukrainians will be concerned that the Russians will use this period to try and make more land gains, which is why they’re not agreeing to an entire ceasefire.”
