The situation remains tense as both nations prepare for further negotiations while Ukraine calls out ongoing drone attacks on its territory.
**Putin Rejects Comprehensive Ceasefire; Agrees to Halt Energy Infrastructure Attacks After Trump Call**
**Putin Rejects Comprehensive Ceasefire; Agrees to Halt Energy Infrastructure Attacks After Trump Call**
In a recent call with President Trump, President Putin agreed to halt attacks on energy infrastructure in Ukraine but flatly rejected a full ceasefire proposal.
In a significant call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Russian leader agreed to pause attacks specifically targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure. However, he firmly rejected a broader ceasefire encompassing all military activities in Ukraine, which the U.S. had previously negotiated in Saudi Arabia with Ukrainian representatives. Putin insisted that any extensive truce must be conditional on the cessation of international military assistance to Ukraine, a point that Kyiv's European allies have already dismissed.
As the three-year conflict continues, Russia is regaining strength in its Kursk region following setbacks from Ukrainian advances six months prior. Trump described the discussions as "very good and productive," despite the lack of consensus on a full ceasefire. Following the conversation, Zelensky, who was in Helsinki for an official visit, expressed openness to a truce on energy strikes but required more clarity regarding the deal. Citing a recent wave of drone assaults, Zelensky criticized Putin's lack of commitment to a complete ceasefire.
The Ukrainian president indicated that, despite the ceasefire agreement on energy infrastructure, Russia continued its aerial attacks targeting civilian infrastructure, including hospitals in Sumy and power systems in Slovyansk. He noted that over 80% of Ukraine's energy facilities have suffered damage due to such attacks.
As tensions rage, air strikes reportedly erupted between both nations shortly after the Trump-Putin call, with Zelensky alleging that Russia launched over 40 drones into Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russian officials claimed a Ukrainian drone attack set fire to an oil depot and that their troops repelled a ground assault attempt in Belgorod.
After previous discussions, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio remarked that the ball was now in Russia's court regarding the ceasefire proposal, which Ukrainian allies initially accepted. However, the White House did not reaffirm this during Tuesday's statement on the Trump-Putin call, instead highlighting a phased approach to peace beginning with energy and infrastructure ceasefire negotiations.
While Trump's willingness to explore peace talks, including unique ideas like ice hockey matches between U.S. and Russian players, suggests interest in thawing relations, the Kremlin highlighted several "significant issues" obstructing agreement enforcement. This has left many, including Ukrainian officials, viewing the call's outcome as a strategy by Putin to delay substantive negotiations while imposing prerequisites that Kyiv finds unacceptable.
Amidst this backdrop, Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine, emphasizing the need for a complete ceasefire. However, the prospect of a peaceful resolution appears distant, and the intricate dynamics of military support and territorial control remain unresolved.
As the three-year conflict continues, Russia is regaining strength in its Kursk region following setbacks from Ukrainian advances six months prior. Trump described the discussions as "very good and productive," despite the lack of consensus on a full ceasefire. Following the conversation, Zelensky, who was in Helsinki for an official visit, expressed openness to a truce on energy strikes but required more clarity regarding the deal. Citing a recent wave of drone assaults, Zelensky criticized Putin's lack of commitment to a complete ceasefire.
The Ukrainian president indicated that, despite the ceasefire agreement on energy infrastructure, Russia continued its aerial attacks targeting civilian infrastructure, including hospitals in Sumy and power systems in Slovyansk. He noted that over 80% of Ukraine's energy facilities have suffered damage due to such attacks.
As tensions rage, air strikes reportedly erupted between both nations shortly after the Trump-Putin call, with Zelensky alleging that Russia launched over 40 drones into Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russian officials claimed a Ukrainian drone attack set fire to an oil depot and that their troops repelled a ground assault attempt in Belgorod.
After previous discussions, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio remarked that the ball was now in Russia's court regarding the ceasefire proposal, which Ukrainian allies initially accepted. However, the White House did not reaffirm this during Tuesday's statement on the Trump-Putin call, instead highlighting a phased approach to peace beginning with energy and infrastructure ceasefire negotiations.
While Trump's willingness to explore peace talks, including unique ideas like ice hockey matches between U.S. and Russian players, suggests interest in thawing relations, the Kremlin highlighted several "significant issues" obstructing agreement enforcement. This has left many, including Ukrainian officials, viewing the call's outcome as a strategy by Putin to delay substantive negotiations while imposing prerequisites that Kyiv finds unacceptable.
Amidst this backdrop, Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine, emphasizing the need for a complete ceasefire. However, the prospect of a peaceful resolution appears distant, and the intricate dynamics of military support and territorial control remain unresolved.
