Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin agreed to a 30-day ‘energy and infrastructure’ ceasefire in Ukraine during a two-hour phone call today in the first steps towards ending the war. The Mail has more.
The partial ceasefire agreement will be in effect for 30 days. Talks for a permanent peace will “begin immediately” in the Middle East although Putin told Trump that he has several conditions he wants met in order for the fighting to end.
“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 negotiations will begin immediately in the Middle East,” the White House said in its readout of the call.
The White House statement also contained a key detail hinting at a realignment of the Middle East: a statement of support for Israel over Iran.
“The two leaders shared the view that Iran should never be in a position to destroy Israel,” the readout said.
It hinted at the potential for a future shift in the world order in which Moscow becomes less forthright in its support of Tehran, which has been a longtime ally.
“The leaders spoke broadly about the Middle East as a region of potential cooperation to prevent future conflicts,” the White House said.
Trump has repeatedly threatened Iran for its support of the Houthis and demanded it end its nuclear programme. If he can foster a closer relationship between Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he could see an end to the Russia-Iran alliance, which would benefit the United States.
The White House also hinted at a shakeup of American foreign relations that would include a closer relationship between Washington and Moscow.
Both leaders “stressed the need for improved bilateral relations between the United States and Russia”.
An improved US-Russian relationship “has huge upside”, the administration noted. “This includes enormous economic deals and geopolitical stability when peace has been achieved.”
Meanwhile, when it comes to Ukraine, Putin had conditions for a permanent end to the fighting, saying he wants the United States and its allies to end military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine to halt hostilities, according to the Kremlin readout.
“It was emphasised that the key condition for preventing the escalation of the conflict and working towards its resolution through political and diplomatic means should be the complete cessation of foreign military aid and the provision of intelligence information to Kyiv,” Moscow said.
European allies, however, are worried that could result in Moscow rearming itself during a ceasefire, leaving Kyiv short-handed and playing catchup.
However, the White House said peace is the goal.
“Both leaders agreed this conflict needs to end with a lasting peace,” the White House said.
“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.”
In other news out of Tuesday’s phone call, Putin agreed to send back 23 critically injured Ukrainian prisoners.
Their call lasted about two hours, beginning around 10 am ET and concluding at noon. Trump spoke from the Oval Office, where he was joined by Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
As part of it, Trump agreed with Putin’s idea for an ice hockey game between US and Russian players, the Kremlin noted.
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