Crime Today News
In a significant development toward peace talks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has agreed to Russia’s proposal for a mutual pause in attacks on energy infrastructure, with a ceasefire set to last for 30 days. The agreement, reached during a phone call with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, marks a potential first step toward broader peace negotiations.
“We will continue to fight until there is an appropriate document,” Zelenskyy said at a news conference in Helsinki, noting that Russian drones were still in Ukrainian airspace as he spoke.
The call between Trump and Zelenskyy
The call between Trump and Zelenskyy was the first time the two leaders had spoken since a tense confrontation in the Oval Office the previous month, where Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticised Zelenskyy for not showing enough gratitude for US support. Since that meeting, the Trump administration temporarily halted military assistance and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, sparking concerns in Kyiv about US commitment to the war effort.
Despite that, Wednesday’s call was described as productive by both sides. In a joint statement from Trump’s national security adviser, Michael Waltz, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the conversation “significantly helped in moving toward ending the war.” Zelenskyy echoed this sentiment, calling the call “positive, very substantive, and frank.”
The key outcome of the conversation was Zelenskyy’s agreement to Russia’s offer of a temporary halt on strikes against energy targets. The mutual ceasefire would be restricted to energy infrastructure, and technical teams from both countries are set to meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to discuss its implementation. US officials, including Waltz and Rubio, expressed hope that this could lead to further progress toward a full ceasefire.
However, a broader ceasefire agreement remains elusive. Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously rejected a proposal for a 30-day halt to all land, sea, and air attacks. Instead, he offered the narrower ceasefire on energy sites, which analysts argue would benefit Russia more than Ukraine. Russian oil refineries have come under heavy attack from Ukrainian forces in recent months, while Ukraine has adapted to reduced energy supplies and no longer relies as heavily on heating as it did during the winter.
Fire and smoke engulf a building after a Russian attack in Krasnopillia in the Sumy region of Ukraine. (Photo: AP)
During the call, Trump also raised a new idea: the possibility of the United States taking control of Ukrainian power plants. According to an official US statement, Trump suggested that American management of these facilities could help protect them from future Russian attacks.
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Zelenskyy later clarified that the proposal was limited to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest, which is currently under Russian control. “The question was exclusively about the station under temporary occupation,” Zelenskyy said. He added that there was no pressure from Trump on the issue.
However, the statement from Waltz and Rubio appeared to suggest a broader plan, referring to “Ukraine’s electrical supply and nuclear power plants” and arguing that US involvement in managing these facilities could deter Russian aggression. The statement also hinted at the possibility of Ukraine transferring ownership of these plants to the US, similar to the partial interest the US has demanded in Ukraine’s mineral resources.
Russian soldiers patrol an area in Sudzha in the Kursk region of Russia, after it was taken over by Russian troops. (Photo: AP)
What has been the reaction to the ceasefire?
Ukraine’s European allies have cautiously welcomed the ceasefire on energy targets, but they share Zelenskyy’s concerns. “Ukraine accepted a cease-fire without any form of conditions. If Russia refuses to agree, we need to increase our efforts to strengthen Ukraine and to ratchet up pressure on Russia,” Finnish President Alexander Stubb said during a joint news conference with Zelenskyy in Helsinki.
As for the logistics of the energy ceasefire, Zelenskyy emphasized that US monitoring would be necessary to ensure Russia’s compliance. “Just the assertion and the word of Putin that he will not strike energy sites is too little,” Zelenskyy said. He added that Ukraine would prepare a list of protected sites, and if monitoring confirmed that Russia was abiding by the agreement, Ukraine would refrain from retaliating.
(With inputs from AP, Reuters)
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