US President Donald Trump described his phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday as a “very good and productive one,” declaring that the two leaders had agreed to an immediate ceasefire on strikes targeting energy and infrastructure in Ukraine.
“This War would have never started if I were President!” Trump wrote on Truth Social after the call. “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. That process is now in full force and effect, and we will, hopefully, for the sake of Humanity, get the job done!”
The high-stakes call between Trump and Putin lasted for at least 90 minutes and was viewed by the White House as the first step toward ending the war in Ukraine. The administration said the ceasefire on energy and infrastructure strikes was a critical initial move toward broader negotiations for peace, though Putin stopped short of agreeing to a full 30-day pause in all fighting—something Washington continues to push for.
Trump emphasised that both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wanted the war to end, though Ukraine has not publicly confirmed its stance on the limited ceasefire plan. Ukrainian officials have previously called for a more comprehensive truce, including halting Black Sea military operations and long-range missile strikes, as well as a prisoner exchange.
The White House also revealed that negotiations on further ceasefire terms would “begin immediately” in the Middle East, though details remained unclear. Meanwhile, the Kremlin announced that Russia and Ukraine are set to exchange 175 prisoners of war each on Wednesday, with Russia also agreeing to return 23 severely wounded Ukrainian soldiers.
Putin also pressed Trump to halt foreign military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine, according to a Kremlin readout. While Trump has previously suggested the US should limit aid to Kyiv, his administration is still pushing for a 30-day ceasefire proposal that Ukrainian officials tentatively agreed to during talks in Saudi Arabia last week.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy remains skeptical that Putin is serious about ending the war, given Russia’s ongoing strikes.
