Trump, Putin agree to limited ceasefire on energy, infrastructure sites

WASHINGTON

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, agreed to an "immediate" ceasefire that would temporarily halt attacks "on all energy and infrastructure" amid the Kremlin's ongoing war against Ukraine.

On Truth Social, Trump said the conversation, which lasted for over two hours, was "very good and productive," hailing the agreement on the limited ceasefire, though it is unclear if Ukraine has also signed on to the pact.

Kyiv last Tuesday agreed to what appears to be a far more encompassing 30-day truce, and Trump had sought to have Putin consent to joining that as well, threatening potential economic penalties on Moscow if the Russian leader did not agree.

That does not appear to have materialized during Tuesday's discussion, but Trump maintained that negotiations would commence quickly over the wider ceasefire proposal, and peace deal to end the conflict.

"We agreed to an immediate Ceasefire on all Energy and Infrastructure, with an understanding that we will be working quickly to have a Complete Ceasefire and, ultimately, an END to this very horrible War between Russia and Ukraine," he said on his proprietary social media website.

"Many elements of a Contract for Peace were discussed, including the fact that thousands of soldiers are being killed, and both President Putin and President Zelenskyy would like to see it end. That process is now in full force and effect, and we will, hopefully, for the sake of Humanity, get the job done!" he added.

The White House earlier said that the talks over a full ceasefire in Ukraine will start "immediately in the Middle East."

It said Trump and Putin also agreed on the need to improve bilateral ties, affirming that doing so would have "huge upside," including economic agreements "and geopolitical stability when peace has been achieved."

The leaders further "spoke broadly about the Middle East as a region of potential cooperation to prevent future conflicts," the White House said, just hours after Israel resumed its offensive on the besieged Gaza Strip.

"They further discussed the need to stop proliferation of strategic weapons and will engage with others to ensure the broadest possible application. The two leaders shared the view that Iran should never be in a position to destroy Israel," it added.