President Trump and President Putin agree to a 30-day ceasefire deal

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, agreed to a 30-day ceasefire proposal concerning attacks on energy infrastructure in Ukraine.

This agreement was reached during a two-hour phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on March 18, 2025.

The ceasefire specifically targets energy and infrastructure-related attacks, marking a limited de-escalation in the ongoing conflict.

However, Putin did not consent to a broader ceasefire that the U.S. had advocated for.

He emphasized that the ceasefire’s success hinges on Ukraine halting military mobilizations and the cessation of foreign military aid to Ukraine.

Additionally, Putin raised concerns about Ukraine potentially using the 30-day pause to rearm and continue mobilization efforts.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed conditional support for the ceasefire but remains cautious.

He highlighted the need for clear terms and verification mechanisms to ensure compliance.

European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, France’s Emmanuel Macron, and Germany’s Olaf Scholz, have welcomed this initial step.

But they stressed the necessity for a comprehensive and lasting peace that involves Ukraine’s active participation.

The ceasefire agreement also includes plans for a prisoner exchange, with both Russia and Ukraine set to release 175 individuals each.

Further negotiations are anticipated to address additional aspects of the conflict, including maritime operations and the establishment of a more extensive truce.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday shared details of his phone conversation with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.

The President described the discussion, which focused on the Russia-Ukraine war, as “a very good and productive one.”

In a post on Truth Social, Trump confirmed that they had agreed to “an immediate ceasefire on all energy and infrastructure.”

The leaders also reached an understanding to work quickly towards a complete ceasefire to end “this very horrible war.”

“This war would never have started if I were President!” Trump added.

“Many elements of a Contract for Peace were discussed, including the fact that thousands of soldiers are being killed, and both President Putin and President Zelenskyy would like to see it end.

“That process is now in full force and effect, and we will, hopefully, for the sake of humanity, get the job done!” the President wrote.

The White House described it as the first step in a “movement to peace.”

It hopes will include a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and eventually a full and lasting end to the fighting.

There was no indication that Putin has backed away from his previous conditions, fiercely opposed by Kyiv, to consider a broader ceasefire.

Russia wants Ukraine to renounce any prospect of joining the NATO military alliance, sharply cut its army, and protect Russian language and culture to keep the country in Moscow’s orbit, among other concessions.

In fact, Putin during the call reiterated his demand for an end to foreign military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine, according to the Kremlin.

Shortly after the call ended, air raid alerts sounded in Kyiv, followed by explosions in the city. Local officials urged people to seek shelter.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters that Ukraine is open to any proposals that lead to a sustainable and just peace.

But it stressed the need for full transparency in discussions.

“We need to understand what the conversation is about,” Zelenskyy said.

“What are the details? And hopefully, we will be fully informed, and our partners will discuss everything with us.”

He added: “There are two sides in this war — Russia and Ukraine. Trying to negotiate without Ukraine, in my view, will not be productive.”

Ukrainian officials had proposed a ceasefire covering the Black Sea and long-range missile strikes and the release of prisoners at their meeting with a U.S delegation in Saudi Arabia this month.

Trump immediately cheered Tuesday’s development as a major step toward his ultimate goal of ending the biggest land war in Europe since World War II.

Trump wrote on social media,

“We agreed to an immediate Ceasefire on all Energy and Infrastructure,

“with an understanding that we will be working quickly to have a Complete Ceasefire and, ultimately, an END to this very horrible War between Russia and Ukraine.”

Ukrainian officials last week agreed to the 30-day ceasefire proposal during talks in Saudi Arabia led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Zelenskyy, however, remains skeptical that Putin is ready for peace as Russian forces continue to pound Ukraine.

The Trump-Putin engagement is just the latest turn in dramatically shifting U.S.-Russia relations.

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