Trump and Putin Discuss Limited Ceasefire in Ukraine and Bilateral Relations

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed a limited Ukraine ceasefire, focusing on energy and infrastructure. They proposed immediate negotiations for a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea. Both leaders emphasized improved US-Russia relations and shared views on preventing Iranian threats to Israel.
On a recent phone call, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed that peace in Ukraine “will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire.” They engaged in a broad discussion covering bilateral relations, the situation in Iran, the Middle East, and the imperative to halt the proliferation of strategic weapons, as stated in a White House release.
As part of this limited ceasefire initiative, the two nations will “immediately” commence technical negotiations regarding a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea along with plans for a full ceasefire and a lasting peace in Ukraine. The statement indicated that these negotiations would begin promptly in the Middle East, emphasizing the need to resolve the three-year conflict in Ukraine.
The response from Ukraine concerning the ceasefire plan remains uncertain. While Kiev has expressed willingness to accept a proposed 30-day truce, the White House did not confirm that Putin had agreed to this proposal. Moreover, there was no mention of whether Putin requested the suspension of foreign military aid to Ukraine or addressed concerns regarding land concessions and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
After the conversation, Trump reflected on the call as being “very good and productive,” indicating that they agreed on an immediate ceasefire concerning energy and infrastructure. He also noted that “many elements of a Contract for Peace were discussed” during their dialogue, which lasted approximately one and a half hours.
In response to Trump’s ceasefire proposal concerning energy infrastructures, Putin “immediately gave the Russian military the appropriate command,” according to the Kremlin’s press service. The leaders went on to underscore the necessity of enhancing US-Russia relations, highlighting immense potential for improved bilateral ties leading to substantial economic opportunities and geopolitical stability once peace is achieved.
Concerning Iran and the Middle East, both leaders shared the perspective that Iran must not be allowed to threaten Israel. They explored avenues for potential cooperation to avert future conflicts in the region, as cited in the White House’s summary of the discussions.
In summary, Presidents Trump and Putin have proposed a framework for a limited ceasefire in Ukraine, which entails an immediate halt to hostilities involving energy and infrastructure. While the interest in normalizing US-Russia relations is evident, uncertainties remain regarding Ukraine’s acceptance of the truce and the specifics of the discussions regarding military aid and territorial concerns. Both leaders also expressed a commitment to collaborative efforts concerning Iran and regional stability.
Original Source: www.shine.cn