Priyanka Tiwari
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Ukraine and Russia have agreed to a limited ceasefire following discussions with US President Donald Trump. While the details regarding the timing and specific targets spared from attack remain unclear, the move represents a step toward de-escalating the ongoing conflict.
The agreement came after Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected Trump’s call for a full 30-day ceasefire. Despite the partial nature of the ceasefire, both sides agreed to technical talks aimed at protecting energy infrastructure. These discussions will take place in Saudi Arabia over the weekend.
Trump’s Role in Facilitating Ceasefire Talks
President Trump spoke with both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, with the goal of aligning both nations on their respective requests. In a post on Truth Social, Trump shared that the calls were focused on "aligning both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs." Trump proposed that the US could manage Ukraine’s power plants to ensure their long-term security, suggesting American ownership as a potential safeguard for the infrastructure.
I had a positive, very substantive, and frank conversation with President of the United States Donald Trump @POTUS. I thanked him for a good and productive start to the work of the Ukrainian and American teams in Jeddah on March 11—this meeting of the teams significantly helped… pic.twitter.com/JFBd5EeIkg
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 19, 2025
A White House statement confirmed that Trump’s call with Zelenskyy lasted an hour after his conversation with Putin. Trump’s suggestion to Zelenskyy, which included US ownership of Ukraine’s power plants, was seen as a measure to protect critical infrastructure in the war-torn country.
Russia and Ukraine Exchange Accusations Over Violations
Although the ceasefire discussions are ongoing, both countries continue to accuse each other of violations. On the night following Trump’s call with Putin, Russian drone strikes hit Ukrainian energy facilities, despite a purported halt in targeting such infrastructure. The Kremlin responded by accusing Ukraine of attacking Russian military equipment near a pipeline.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the Ukrainian government had failed to reciprocate in honoring the ceasefire, which he claimed was part of the ongoing conflict. Despite this, the White House referred to the Tuesday calls as the first steps in a "movement to peace."
Zelenskyy’s Response and Ukraine’s "Red Line"
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy expressed skepticism about Russia’s commitment to the ceasefire, stating that Putin’s actions showed a lack of genuine interest in peace talks. Zelenskyy also reaffirmed Ukraine's "red line" in negotiations, rejecting any recognition of the territories Russia currently occupies. "We will not go for it," Zelenskyy said, underlining that Ukraine would not concede any territorial claims to Russia.
Prisoner Exchange and Continued Negotiations
In a more positive development, both nations agreed to exchange 175 prisoners, one of the largest such exchanges of the war. This marks a rare moment of cooperation amidst the ongoing conflict, which has been marked by violence and geopolitical tensions.
The Future of US Support for Ukraine
Zelenskyy rejected Putin’s demand for a cessation of military aid from Western allies. He argued that cutting off support would jeopardize Ukrainian lives, leaving the nation vulnerable to Russian airstrikes. "I don’t think anybody should make any concessions in terms of helping Ukraine, but rather, assistance to Ukraine should be increased," he said, stressing the need for continued aid to defend against Russian aggression.
Upcoming Talks in Saudi Arabia
Technical experts from the US, Ukraine, and Russia are scheduled to meet in Saudi Arabia soon to discuss the implementation of the partial ceasefire. It remains unclear whether these talks will involve joint discussions with both Russian and Ukrainian officials or separate meetings. White House officials, including National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, have already held discussions with their Russian counterparts in preparation for the upcoming talks.
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