US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a high-stakes 90-minute call on Tuesday to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, with both leaders agreeing to an immediate ceasefire targeting energy infrastructure, according to the White House.
The call, which began at 10 am ET, concluded shortly before 12.52 pm, White House spokesman Dan Scavino said. While the White House did not specify when each leader ended the conversation, it described the discussion as a pivotal step toward peace.
“Today, President Trump and President Putin spoke about the need for peace and a ceasefire in the Ukraine war. Both leaders agreed this conflict needs to end with a lasting peace,” the White House said in a statement. “They also stressed the need for improved bilateral relations between the United States and Russia. The blood and treasure that both Ukraine and Russia have been spending in this war would be better spent on the needs of their people.”
The statement also underscored that the conflict should have ended long ago through “sincere and good faith peace efforts.”
Ceasefire and negotiations in the Middle East
Trump and Putin agreed that the ceasefire effort would begin with a halt to strikes on energy infrastructure and technical discussions on a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea. Further negotiations, aimed at achieving a full ceasefire and a permanent peace, are set to take place immediately in the Middle East, the statement added.
“The leaders spoke broadly about the Middle East as a region of potential cooperation to prevent future conflicts,” the White House said. “They further discussed the need to stop the proliferation of strategic weapons and will engage with others to ensure the broadest possible application. The two leaders shared the view that Iran should never be in a position to destroy Israel.”
Russia’s conditions for peace
According to Russia’s state-run TASS news agency, the Kremlin reported that Putin insisted a complete cessation of military aid to Ukraine was a key condition for ending the war. Additionally, he reportedly supported Trump’s proposal for a mutual 30-day pause on strikes against energy infrastructure and issued military orders accordingly.
As a gesture of goodwill, Russia will return 23 seriously wounded Ukrainian soldiers to Kyiv, TASS reported.
A ‘new era’ of US-Russia relations?
Beyond Ukraine, Trump and Putin explored the possibility of strengthening US-Russia relations, emphasising economic and geopolitical stability benefits. “The two leaders agreed that a future with an improved bilateral relationship between the United States and Russia has huge upside,” the White House said. “This includes enormous economic deals and geopolitical stability when peace has been achieved.”
