A highly anticipated phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin failed to produce an agreement on a general ceasefire in Ukraine, according to statements from both governments following the discussions.
While the two leaders were unable to reach a broader truce, the Kremlin announced that Putin had agreed to a U.S. proposal for a 30-day halt on attacks against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure—on the condition that Ukraine does the same. However, Moscow remains skeptical about the broader U.S.-backed ceasefire plan, arguing that it would primarily benefit Kyiv.
Diplomatic Stalemate Over Ceasefire Terms
The phone call, which took place between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. CET, was part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the war. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described it as “one conversation in a series of actions aimed at establishing a dialogue.” According to sources, the discussion covered a range of topics, including the normalization of U.S.-Russia relations.
Kyiv had already agreed to the U.S. ceasefire proposal following negotiations in Saudi Arabia last week. However, Russia has attached strict conditions to any cessation of hostilities. Putin has insisted that Ukraine must formally abandon its NATO ambitions and agree to cede five occupied territories before a broader ceasefire can be considered. Additionally, Moscow is making its decision contingent on the situation in the Russian border region of Kursk, which Ukraine partially occupied during a summer offensive last year. Russian forces have since regained control of much of the area.
Ukraine, meanwhile, has rejected any territorial concessions and is calling for international security guarantees and the deployment of Western peacekeeping forces to ensure a lasting truce.
Concerns Over Trump’s Approach to Russia
Trump’s handling of negotiations has raised concerns, particularly in Europe, where allies worry that he may concede too much to Putin. The former president has repeatedly expressed admiration for the Russian leader, and in February, he publicly opposed Ukraine’s NATO accession—a key point of contention in the war. Additionally, Washington has signaled that Kyiv may ultimately have to relinquish some territory as part of a peace deal.
Ahead of the call, Trump suggested that discussions should focus on “land” and “energy assets,” potentially referencing the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine, which has been under Russian control since the early days of the conflict. He also indicated that negotiations were already underway regarding the “division of certain assets” between Ukraine and Russia, though he did not provide further details.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded by emphasizing that territorial discussions should only take place after a ceasefire has been secured. His Foreign Minister, Andriy Sybiha, urged Putin to accept the U.S. proposal without conditions, stating, “It’s time for Russia to show whether it truly wants peace.”
Ongoing Conflict Despite Talks
Despite diplomatic efforts, fighting continues on multiple fronts. Overnight, Russian forces launched a massive drone assault on Ukraine, with 137 drones targeting infrastructure across the country. Ukraine’s Air Force reported power outages and a fire at a school in Kyiv following a drone crash. Meanwhile, Russian officials claimed that six people were injured in Ukrainian drone strikes on the border regions of Belgorod and Kursk. The Russian Defense Ministry reported intercepting 46 Ukrainian drones.
With no ceasefire agreement in place, the war in Ukraine remains at a stalemate, and diplomatic negotiations face significant hurdles. While Trump’s outreach to Putin signals ongoing U.S. engagement in peace efforts, the lack of consensus on key conditions suggests that an end to the conflict remains elusive.
