Zelenskyy and Putin consent to partial ceasefire; future remains unclear
Ukraine and Russia have tentatively agreed to a limited ceasefire following discussions that involved U.S. President Donald Trump and the leaders of both nations this week. However, the specifics of what the agreement entails are still ambiguous, as the three parties have provided varying interpretations.
TroibNews 
Ukraine and Russia reached a preliminary agreement on a limited ceasefire following conversations between U.S. President Donald Trump and the leaders of both nations this week. However, the specifics of the agreement remain ambiguous, as the three parties have provided differing interpretations.
### A Partial Ceasefire Focused on Energy
The White House reported that during a phone call on Wednesday, Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed to "a partial ceasefire against energy" between Ukraine and Russia.
This conversation occurred a day after Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed that peace in Ukraine "will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire" during their phone talks on Tuesday.
According to a statement from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, U.S. and Ukrainian technical teams are scheduled to meet in Saudi Arabia soon to explore the possibility of expanding the ceasefire to include the Black Sea, which could lead to a comprehensive ceasefire in Ukraine.
The statement emphasized that both the U.S. and Ukraine "agreed to share information closely between their defense staffs as the battlefield situation evolved." Furthermore, following Zelenskyy's request for additional air defense systems, particularly Patriot missile systems, "President Trump agreed to work with him to find what was available, particularly in Europe."
Additionally, Trump discussed Ukraine's electrical supply and nuclear power facilities with Zelenskyy, suggesting, "The United States could be very helpful in running those plants. American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure and support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure."
Zelenskyy later shared his thoughts on X, stating, "One of the first steps toward fully ending the war could be ending strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure. I supported this step, and Ukraine confirmed that we are ready to implement it."
However, the White House statement did not specify that the partial ceasefire would extend to civilian infrastructure, as Zelenskyy had indicated.
During a press briefing later on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that intelligence sharing between the United States and Ukraine would continue.
### Recent Exchanges Between the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia
Zelenskyy described his conversation with Trump as "fruitful," particularly coming after a tumultuous Oval Office meeting weeks prior, which led to a temporary suspension of intelligence sharing and military aid to Ukraine.
The timeline of significant events includes:
- February 28: Trump and Zelenskyy clash at the White House.
- March 3: The U.S. announces the suspension of military aid to Ukraine.
- March 4: Zelenskyy expresses Ukraine's willingness to initiate peace talks under U.S. leadership.
- March 5: The U.S. stops intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
- March 11: U.S. and Ukrainian delegations reach consensus on a temporary ceasefire and resumption of intelligence sharing and security assistance.
- March 12: U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine resumes.
While U.S.-Ukraine interactions have seen fluctuating dynamics, exchanges between the U.S. and Russia have been relatively smoother. The leaders of both countries held discussions in February and March, and diplomatic teams have been involved in recent negotiations.
### Uncertain Future
The tentative deal to partially alleviate hostilities between Russia and Ukraine emerged after Putin declined Trump's request for a full 30-day ceasefire.
The difficulty in reaching an agreement on not targeting one another's energy infrastructure underscores the complexities of swiftly concluding the three-year conflict. On Wednesday, signs of continued tension emerged, as Moscow claimed Ukraine hit an oil depot in southern Russia, while Kyiv reported that Russia had attacked hospitals and homes, incapacitating some railway power supplies.
Zelenskyy asserted that Russian strikes occurred after Trump's call with Putin, suggesting that Russia was not genuinely pursuing peace. He proposed that the U.S. take charge of monitoring any ceasefire, adding that a cessation of infrastructure attacks could be swiftly implemented.
It became evident that the three parties hold differing interpretations of the agreement: the White House indicated that "energy and infrastructure" would be included, the Kremlin focused more narrowly on "energy infrastructure," and Zelenskyy expressed a desire for protections for railways and ports as well.
While the viability of this limited ceasefire remains uncertain, Zhao Junjie, a researcher at the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, suggested that it is an opportune moment for both Russia and Ukraine to seek peace and reconciliation amidst the ongoing conflict.
Zhao characterized the negotiations as a "turning point," stating that "the ceasefire in Ukraine not only brings a glimmer of hope for peace but also sets the stage for Ukraine's future political positioning – whether it can join NATO, participate in the EU, or whether the EU can protect it after accession, or if it will remain neutral."
He concluded by noting that these interactions could signal a new era of peace and security for the European continent.
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
### A Partial Ceasefire Focused on Energy
The White House reported that during a phone call on Wednesday, Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed to "a partial ceasefire against energy" between Ukraine and Russia.
This conversation occurred a day after Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed that peace in Ukraine "will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire" during their phone talks on Tuesday.
According to a statement from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, U.S. and Ukrainian technical teams are scheduled to meet in Saudi Arabia soon to explore the possibility of expanding the ceasefire to include the Black Sea, which could lead to a comprehensive ceasefire in Ukraine.
The statement emphasized that both the U.S. and Ukraine "agreed to share information closely between their defense staffs as the battlefield situation evolved." Furthermore, following Zelenskyy's request for additional air defense systems, particularly Patriot missile systems, "President Trump agreed to work with him to find what was available, particularly in Europe."
Additionally, Trump discussed Ukraine's electrical supply and nuclear power facilities with Zelenskyy, suggesting, "The United States could be very helpful in running those plants. American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure and support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure."
Zelenskyy later shared his thoughts on X, stating, "One of the first steps toward fully ending the war could be ending strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure. I supported this step, and Ukraine confirmed that we are ready to implement it."
However, the White House statement did not specify that the partial ceasefire would extend to civilian infrastructure, as Zelenskyy had indicated.
During a press briefing later on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that intelligence sharing between the United States and Ukraine would continue.
### Recent Exchanges Between the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia
Zelenskyy described his conversation with Trump as "fruitful," particularly coming after a tumultuous Oval Office meeting weeks prior, which led to a temporary suspension of intelligence sharing and military aid to Ukraine.
The timeline of significant events includes:
- February 28: Trump and Zelenskyy clash at the White House.
- March 3: The U.S. announces the suspension of military aid to Ukraine.
- March 4: Zelenskyy expresses Ukraine's willingness to initiate peace talks under U.S. leadership.
- March 5: The U.S. stops intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
- March 11: U.S. and Ukrainian delegations reach consensus on a temporary ceasefire and resumption of intelligence sharing and security assistance.
- March 12: U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine resumes.
While U.S.-Ukraine interactions have seen fluctuating dynamics, exchanges between the U.S. and Russia have been relatively smoother. The leaders of both countries held discussions in February and March, and diplomatic teams have been involved in recent negotiations.
### Uncertain Future
The tentative deal to partially alleviate hostilities between Russia and Ukraine emerged after Putin declined Trump's request for a full 30-day ceasefire.
The difficulty in reaching an agreement on not targeting one another's energy infrastructure underscores the complexities of swiftly concluding the three-year conflict. On Wednesday, signs of continued tension emerged, as Moscow claimed Ukraine hit an oil depot in southern Russia, while Kyiv reported that Russia had attacked hospitals and homes, incapacitating some railway power supplies.
Zelenskyy asserted that Russian strikes occurred after Trump's call with Putin, suggesting that Russia was not genuinely pursuing peace. He proposed that the U.S. take charge of monitoring any ceasefire, adding that a cessation of infrastructure attacks could be swiftly implemented.
It became evident that the three parties hold differing interpretations of the agreement: the White House indicated that "energy and infrastructure" would be included, the Kremlin focused more narrowly on "energy infrastructure," and Zelenskyy expressed a desire for protections for railways and ports as well.
While the viability of this limited ceasefire remains uncertain, Zhao Junjie, a researcher at the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, suggested that it is an opportune moment for both Russia and Ukraine to seek peace and reconciliation amidst the ongoing conflict.
Zhao characterized the negotiations as a "turning point," stating that "the ceasefire in Ukraine not only brings a glimmer of hope for peace but also sets the stage for Ukraine's future political positioning – whether it can join NATO, participate in the EU, or whether the EU can protect it after accession, or if it will remain neutral."
He concluded by noting that these interactions could signal a new era of peace and security for the European continent.
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
