Ukraine Agrees to 30-Day Energy Cease-Fire in Bid for Peace

In a significant diplomatic move, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has agreed to a 30-day cease-fire with Russia, focusing on halting strikes on energy sites. This decision, facilitated by a conversation with U.S. President Trump, marks a crucial step towards a possible broader peace agreement. Zelensky emphasized the need for U.S. monitoring to ensure compliance from Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a temporary agreement with Russia to suspend attacks on energy infrastructures for 30 days, signaling a potential pathway to a more extensive cease-fire. The deal follows a phone call where Zelensky discussed the terms with U.S. President Donald Trump, who characterized the conversation as "very good." In exchange, Zelensky expressed gratitude for ongoing American support.

During the talks, Trump also proposed that the United States could take over the operations of Ukrainian power plants, a suggestion that local energy specialists deemed largely impractical. The White House has indicated that negotiations will continue in Saudi Arabia in the coming days, aiming to expand this cease-fire to include wider military actions in the Black Sea.

Zelensky has made it clear that U.S. oversight will be essential for the agreement, stating that Kyiv would draft a list of crucial energy sites that need safeguarding. He underlined that reliance solely on Putin’s assurances would not suffice, demonstrating the pragmatic mindset developed through the ongoing conflict. This diplomatic progress comes on the heels of Trump’s earlier conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which has been interpreted as Putin conceding to some degree during the discussions.