Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to temporarily halt attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure for 30 days following a call with U.S. President Donald Trump, the Kremlin announced on Tuesday.
However, the decision does not include the full cease-fire that Ukraine and the U.S. had already endorsed.
The Kremlin’s statement indicated that while Putin agreed to pause strikes on critical infrastructure, he remained concerned about a broader truce. He insisted that ending foreign military and intelligence support for Kyiv was his main condition for de-escalation.
Trump had been pushing for a breakthrough in negotiations, with the White House previously hinting that peace was within reach. However, the limited nature of Putin’s agreement fell short of expectations, leaving uncertainty over the next steps in the conflict.
Ukraine has yet to officially respond to Russia’s statement, but officials have previously accused Putin of using cease-fire discussions to buy time. They argue that Moscow seeks to maintain military pressure while gaining leverage in negotiations.
The latest development comes as Russian forces continue targeting Ukrainian cities. While the pause in attacks on energy infrastructure could provide temporary relief, questions remain over whether it will lead to a more lasting agreement.