International
Putin Rejects Full Ukraine Ceasefire, Agrees Only to Halt Attacks on Energy Sites
- Putin rejects full ceasefire in Ukraine, agrees only to halt attacks on energy infrastructure after call with Trump.
- Trump hails “productive” talks, says broader peace plan under discussion despite Putin’s conditions on foreign aid.
- Zelensky demands more details, accuses Russia of continued civilian attacks and stalling peace efforts.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has declined to agree to a comprehensive ceasefire in Ukraine, instead offering only to halt attacks on energy infrastructure following a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump.
During the call on Tuesday, Putin rejected a month-long ceasefire plan brokered by the U.S. and Ukraine during recent talks in Saudi Arabia, saying any broader truce would only be possible if foreign military aid and intelligence support to Ukraine were halted—conditions already dismissed by European allies of Kyiv.
Despite this, the two leaders agreed to continue peace discussions, with technical-level negotiations expected to begin immediately in the Middle East, according to a Kremlin statement.
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Shift in U.S. Position
The outcome marks a shift in the U.S. stance, as just a week earlier, President Trump’s team secured Kyiv’s agreement to a 30-day ceasefire covering land, air, and sea operations. However, the White House statement following Tuesday’s call made no mention of Ukraine’s earlier acceptance and instead confirmed only the limited energy truce.
Trump described the conversation as “very good and productive,” adding that both sides agreed to begin with a ceasefire on “all Energy and Infrastructure,” with hopes of progressing to a full ceasefire and “an end to this very horrible war.”
Ukraine Seeks Clarification
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, visiting Finland when the call ended, expressed openness to the energy ceasefire but demanded more details. Hours later, he accused Russia of violating peace efforts after a wave of drone strikes targeted civilian infrastructure, including a hospital in Sumy and power facilities in Slovyansk.
“Today, Putin effectively rejected the proposal for a full ceasefire,” Zelensky said on X (formerly Twitter).
FILE – U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, shake hands at the beginning of a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland, July 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)
Stalemate and Political Pressure
Russia continues to regain territory in its Kursk region, lost to a Ukrainian incursion months ago. Meanwhile, Putin is seen as leveraging Trump’s willingness to reconsider U.S. support for Ukraine. Earlier this month, Washington temporarily paused military and intelligence aid following a tense exchange between Trump and Zelensky at the White House.
European leaders responded cautiously to the limited truce. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called it a “first step” but reiterated calls for a full ceasefire, while British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reaffirmed the UK’s “unwavering support” for Ukraine in a call with Zelensky.
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Putin’s Demands and Distractions
The Kremlin insists that foreign backing for Ukraine must end before a broader peace deal is possible and reiterated demands for recognition of Russian control over occupied Ukrainian territories. Putin also floated the idea of hosting friendly ice hockey matches between U.S. and Russian players—a suggestion Trump reportedly supported.
Analysts say Kyiv is likely to view Putin’s limited truce offer as a stalling tactic, designed to impose harsh terms while avoiding further concessions.
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