Putin backs energy infrastructure truce
The Russian President has agreed to the first steps towards a ceasefire in Ukraine, following a “frank” phone call with US President Donald Trump.
The proposal, involves Russia and Ukraine stopping attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure for 30 days.
There would also be negotiations about implementing a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea.
However, Putin issued his own major demand, which could prove a roadblock to achieving lasting peace in Ukraine.
His key condition to end the war is for a “complete cessation” of foreign military assistance and intelligence to Ukraine.
Putin said a resolution for a permanent ceasefire must take into account Russia’s own security interests and the root causes of the conflict.
The Kremlin said Putin and Trump had a “detailed and frank exchange of views” during their conversation.
You might like
On a lighter note, Trump supported Putin’s idea for hockey matches between the US and Russia involving players from their respective national leagues.
Ukraine agreed last week to a 30-day ceasefire proposal while Russia was accused of stalling its response.
Trump and Putin spoke on Wednesday (AEDT) for at least 90 minutes.
Readout of President Donald J. Trump's Call with President Vladimir Putin:
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) March 18, 2025
Today, President Trump and President Putin spoke about the need for peace and a ceasefire in the Ukraine war. Both leaders agreed this conflict needs to end with a lasting peace. They also stressed the…
It was reported that Putin was an hour late for the phone call and showed no signs of rushing from an earlier engagement at a business conference.
The Kremlin said Putin had raised “significant points” about monitoring a truce and preventing it from being used by Ukraine to mobilise more soldiers and rearm itself.
Stay informed, daily
The White House said Trump and Putin agreed that the war between Russia and Ukraine needed to end with a “lasting peace” and talks to achieve that goal would begin immediately.
“The leaders agreed that the movement to 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,” the White House said in a read out.
“These negotiations will begin immediately in the Middle East.”
The White House said Trump and Putin agreed that a future with an improved bilateral relationship had a “huge upside”.
“This includes enormous economic deals and geopolitical stability when peace has been achieved.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky previously met with the UK and French leaders to discuss peace in Ukraine. Image: AAP
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously accused Putin of deliberately prolonging the war.
He has said the sovereignty of his country is not negotiable and that Russia must surrender the territory it has seized.
Russian forces took control of the Crimea peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 and seized most of four eastern Ukrainian regions following its invasion in February 2022.
It controls about a fifth of Ukrainian territory.
Putin said he sent troops into Ukraine because the NATO military alliance’s creeping expansion threatened Russia’s security.
He has demanded Ukraine drop its ambition of joining NATO.
