In a significant diplomatic development, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to pursue a limited ceasefire targeting energy and infrastructure sites in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the White House announced Tuesday.
The discussion, described as a lengthy call between the two leaders, marks a potential step toward broader peace negotiations. According to the White House, the ceasefire is intended as a preliminary move in a larger effort that could eventually lead to a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and, ultimately, a full and lasting end to the war.
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“Both leaders agreed this conflict needs to end with a lasting peace,” the White House said in a statement. “The blood and treasure that both Ukraine and Russia have been spending in this war would be better spent on the needs of their people.”
While the agreement between Trump and Putin signals possible diplomatic progress, it remains unclear whether Ukraine supports the proposed ceasefire. Ukrainian officials had previously suggested a limited ceasefire, particularly in the Black Sea, alongside curbing long-range missile strikes and a prisoner exchange. Those proposals were discussed in a recent U.S.-led meeting with Ukrainian delegates in Saudi Arabia.
The White House said negotiations regarding further ceasefire measures would “begin immediately,” though there was no immediate comment from Kyiv on whether it endorses the phased ceasefire plan.
In addition to the ceasefire talks, Putin informed Trump that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to exchange 175 prisoners of war from each side on Wednesday. Additionally, Russia will release 23 badly wounded Ukrainian soldiers as part of the deal, the Kremlin confirmed.
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While the prisoner swap is a positive development, analysts caution that broader peace remains uncertain, especially given ongoing hostilities and Ukraine’s insistence on full territorial integrity as a prerequisite for negotiations.
International reactions to the Trump-Putin ceasefire agreement are expected in the coming days, with key NATO allies likely to weigh in on its implications. Diplomats and security experts are watching closely to see whether Ukraine formally agrees to the deal and whether further steps toward peace can be negotiated.
For now, the White House is framing the agreement as an important step toward ending the war, though many questions remain about its implementation and long-term viability.
Correction: The author inadvertently typed former for President Donald Trump in the first paragraph, which has been corrected and updated.
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