Putin Agrees to Limited Ceasefire and Opens Negotiations Over Ukraine

Putin Agrees to Temporary Ceasefire After Lengthy Call with Trump

Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to immediately halt attacks on Ukrainian energy and infrastructure targets for 30 days, following a highly anticipated and more than two-hour-long phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday. The move marks the first significant step toward formal ceasefire negotiations, though major uncertainties remain.

Key Developments

30-Day Ceasefire on Infrastructure Attacks – According to a White House summary of the call, Trump and Putin agreed that Russia would temporarily halt airstrikes on Ukrainian energy grids and infrastructure.

Russia’s Military Ordered to Comply Immediately – The Kremlin’s statement confirmed that Putin “immediately gave the Russian military the corresponding order” to cease attacks, suggesting swift implementation.

Ukraine Has Yet to Respond – An hour after the ceasefire announcement, Kyiv had not issued an official response. However, Ukraine had already agreed earlier this month to a 30-day ceasefire in talks with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia, though the details of that agreement remain vague.

Ceasefire Negotiations to Begin in the Middle East – The White House announced that full ceasefire talks will begin immediately, with a potential phased-in approach, including discussions on a “maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea.”

Russia Demands Halt to U.S. Military Aid for Ukraine – The Kremlin indicated that one of Russia’s key conditions for de-escalation is for the U.S. to pause military aid and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine. However, the White House did not confirm or address this condition in its statement.

Prisoner Exchange Set for March 19 – As part of the agreement, Russia and Ukraine will exchange 175 prisoners each, and Russia will return 23 seriously wounded Ukrainian soldiers to Kyiv, according to the Kremlin.

Trump Calls Ceasefire Talks ‘Productive’

Trump took to Truth Social following the call, describing the conversation as “a very good and productive one.” He reiterated his long-standing claim that “this war would have never started if I were President!”

“Many elements of a Contract for Peace were discussed,” Trump wrote, emphasizing that negotiations for a permanent resolution are now “in full force and effect.”

Trump & Putin Discuss ‘Bilateral Relations’ & Economic Deals

Beyond Ukraine, the White House summary of the call noted that Trump and Putin discussed broader U.S.-Russia relations, stating that both leaders:

“Stressed the need for improved bilateral relations between the United States and Russia.”
Discussed “enormous economic deals” and “geopolitical stability.”

The statement suggests a potential shift in U.S.-Russia relations, which have remained tense due to sanctions, NATO expansion, and energy disputes.

Unanswered Questions: What About Seized Land & Power Plants?

One of the biggest unknowns is whether Trump and Putin discussed the fate of Ukrainian territories and energy infrastructure seized by Russia during the war.

Trump previously hinted that he would talk to Putin about “dividing up certain assets,” including land and power plants occupied by Russian forces.
Neither the White House nor the Kremlin provided clarification on whether this was discussed in the call.

With territorial control remaining a major sticking point, any long-term resolution will likely hinge on Ukraine’s sovereignty and Russia’s conditions for ending the war.

Background: The Road to Negotiations

The Trump-Putin call marks a major step in U.S. efforts to broker a ceasefire.

This was Trump and Putin’s second official conversation since Trump’s return to office.
The call follows Ukraine’s recent agreement to a 30-day ceasefire during talks with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia.
Last week, White House special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Putin in Moscow, telling CNN that “we’re bridging the gap between Ukraine and Russia.”

Putin had previously signaled that he would require additional concessions before agreeing to a broader peace deal, including:

Recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
Ukraine renouncing its NATO membership ambitions.
De-escalation in Russia’s Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces have operated.

With ceasefire talks now underway, all eyes will be on how Ukraine responds and whether the negotiations lead to a lasting peace—or another temporary pause in the conflict.