MOSCOW: The Russian and American presidents have reached agreements that can be considered the first steps of the "movement towards peace," the White House noted
Talks aimed at advancing toward a broader peace plan will begin immediately, the White House said following a lengthy call between the two leaders, but it was unclear whether Ukraine will be involved.
Putin expressed gratitude to Trump for his desire to help achieve an end to hostilities and human losses in Ukraine. The Russian leader expressed his readiness for a constructive dialogue with American partners, emphasizing that Russia is open to joint work to find ways to resolve the conflict, which should be comprehensive, sustainable and long-term.
Russian President Vladimir Putin supported the idea of US President Donald Trump about a mutual cessation of strikes on energy facilities by Russia and Ukraine for 30 days and gave such an order to the military, the Kremlin reported.
In the context of Trump's initiative to introduce a 30-day truce, Putin outlined several important points, including ensuring control over the ceasefire along the entire front line. He also pointed out the need to stop forced mobilization in Ukraine and the rearmament of the Ukrainian army, noted the serious risks associated with the inability of the Kyiv regime to implement the agreements reached, and drew attention to the terrorist crimes of Ukrainian militants in the Kursk region.
Putin confirmed that in connection with Trump's appeal to save the lives of Ukrainian servicemen surrounded in the Kursk region, Russia is ready to be guided by humanitarian considerations and guarantees the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) the life and decent treatment in the event of their surrender.
The Russian President identified a complete cessation of foreign military aid and the transfer of intelligence information to Ukraine as a key condition for preventing the escalation of the conflict and its peaceful resolution.
At the same time, Putin approved Trump's idea of a mutual renunciation of strikes on energy infrastructure by Moscow and Kyiv for 30 days and immediately gave the military the corresponding order.
The leaders also agreed to begin negotiations to work out the details of the initiative regarding the safety of navigation in the Black Sea.
The White House called this decision, as well as the decision on the temporary mutual renunciation of strikes on energy infrastructure facilities by Russia and Ukraine, the first steps "towards peace."
Putin and Trump also confirmed their intention to continue efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. For this purpose, Russian and American expert groups will be created, the Kremlin said in a statement.
Since the beginning of the military operation, the Russian Defense Ministry has repeatedly reported on strikes on energy infrastructure facilities in Ukraine. The country has repeatedly introduced emergency power outages. According to The Times, as of November 2024, about 80% of energy facilities in Ukraine have been damaged or destroyed as a result of air strikes.
The talks, which began at 17:00 Moscow time on Tuesday, March 18, lasted more than two hours. This call was the second conversation between the leaders of the countries since Trump took office. The White House noted that it went well.
According to the Kremlin statement, Ukraine - which has bombed multiple Russian oil installations - had also agreed to the truce on energy targets.
Putin also emphasized that any resolution of the conflict would require an end to all military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine, the Kremlin added.
"The leaders spoke widely about the Middle East as a region of potential cooperation to prevent future conflicts. Both leaders agreed that Iran should never be able to destroy Israel," the White House noted.
Negotiations on a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, as well as a more complete ceasefire and a permanent peace deal, will commence immediately in the Middle East, the White House said in a statement, though it did not say whether Ukraine would be invited.
The length of the conversation once again confirmed that Russia and the United States are divided by global problems that have accumulated over many years. And the presidents have to wade through them, coordinating many issues.
Political analysts assumed that the agenda would include not only current international issues, but also topics of personal interest to Trump. For example, one of the key issues could be the distribution of assets in Ukraine, including deposits of rare earth elements.
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