Trump, Putin agree to partial ceasefire in Ukraine, discuss Middle East stability

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to an “immediate ceasefire on all energy and infrastructure” in Ukraine during a lengthy phone call on March 18, but Russia has not committed to a full 30-day ceasefire as Ukraine.

Hours after the call, air raid sirens sounded, and explosions were reported in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Both the White House and the Kremlin said negotiations would begin “immediately” to expand the ceasefire, though Russia tied further progress to an end of foreign military aid to Ukraine.

“My phone conversation today with President Putin of Russia was a very good and productive one,” Trump wrote. “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. … 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.”

A White House readout of the call confirmed that the two leaders discussed the need for peace and a ceasefire in Ukraine, stating that they had agreed the war must end with a “lasting peace.” The statement also highlighted that the conflict was costing both Ukraine and Russia “blood and treasure” that could be used to serve their own people instead.

The White House said the leaders agreed that “the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace.” These discussions will take place in the Middle East, though no further details were provided.

A Kremlin summary of the conversation emphasized a key Russian condition for progress: “the complete cessation of foreign military aid and the provision of intelligence information to Kyiv.” The White House readout did not include this demand or Trump’s response to it.

The phone conversation, which sources said lasted around 2.5 hours, is the longest in the history of U.S.-Russia presidential calls. The White House said the call began at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, while Russia’s news agency reported it concluded at approximately 12:35 p.m.

Following the conversation, a source familiar with the matter described the discussion as having gone “very well.”

During the same call, Trump and Putin also discussed broader Middle East stability, including efforts to prevent future conflicts, according to the White House.

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

The Kremlin’s account of the call did not explicitly mention Israel but stated that the U.S. and Russia would work to “stabilize the situation in crisis areas” in the Middle East and “establish cooperation on nuclear non-proliferation and global security.”

Trump has previously pledged that “Iran will never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon” and has maintained a policy of “maximum pressure” on the Islamic Republic to prevent it from acquiring one.

While the ceasefire agreement marks a step toward de-escalation in Ukraine, its implementation and expansion remain uncertain. Russia’s condition to halt foreign military aid to Kyiv presents a major sticking point, and continued attacks in Ukraine suggest that a broader ceasefire may take time to materialise.

Both leaders acknowledged the need for an improved U.S.-Russia relationship, with the White House statement highlighting “enormous economic deals and geopolitical stability when peace has been achieved.” However, key details on the practical steps toward a full ceasefire and the future of military assistance to Ukraine remain unresolved.

By Aghakazim Guliyev