Putin Agrees to Temporary Halt in Attacks on Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure

Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to a 30-day suspension of strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure after a discussion with US President Donald Trump.

Following the call between the two leaders on Tuesday, the Kremlin released a statement confirming Putin’s directive to the Russian military to halt attacks on energy facilities. However, he declined a broader US-endorsed 30-day ceasefire plan, which Ukraine had indicated its willingness to implement.

Putin expressed concerns that such a ceasefire could provide Ukraine with an opportunity to reinforce its troops and replenish military resources amid the ongoing conflict, now in its third year.

The Kremlin also relayed that Putin told Trump, "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."

In a statement, the White House noted that both leaders agreed to initiate discussions on a possible maritime truce and broader ceasefire in the Middle East "immediately."

Trump described his conversation with Putin as "a very good and productive one" in a post on his Truth Social platform.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy initially signaled openness to the US-backed proposal, including the suspension of attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. However, he cautioned that Russia was likely using the delay as a tactic to prolong negotiations and weaken Ukraine’s position.

Later on Tuesday, Zelenskyy cited ongoing Russian drone strikes—including those targeting Kyiv—as evidence that Putin was not genuinely pursuing peace.

"It is these types of nighttime attacks by Russia that destroy our energy sector, our infrastructure, and the normal life of Ukrainians," Zelenskyy wrote on social media. "And the fact that this night is no exception shows that the pressure on Russia must continue for the sake of peace."

He urged Ukraine’s allies to maintain pressure on Russia through sanctions and to reject any calls for suspending military assistance.

"Today, Putin effectively rejected the proposal for a full ceasefire," Zelenskyy stated. "It would be right for the world to respond by rejecting any attempts by Putin to prolong the war."

Avoiding Energy Infrastructure Strikes

During the Tuesday call, Trump and Putin agreed to begin de-escalation efforts with "an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea."

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has been marked by relentless strikes on critical energy infrastructure, resulting in widespread power outages that have disrupted heating, water supply, sewage systems, and public health services.

On Tuesday, a large-scale Russian assault involving more than 130 drones left thousands in central Ukraine without electricity, damaging vital infrastructure across the country.

Since January, Ukraine has intensified its strikes on Russian oil refineries, fuel depots, and industrial sites. Some attacks have taken up to 10% of Russia’s refining capacity offline, particularly during peak strikes in February, as reported by Reuters.

European Support for Ukraine

European leaders reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression.

"We both agree that Ukraine can count on us, that Ukraine can count on Europe and that we will not let [Kyiv] down," said outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, speaking alongside French President Emmanuel Macron at a press conference in Berlin.

"We will continue to support the Ukrainian army in its war of resistance against Russian aggression," Macron stated.

Scholz emphasized the need for an all-encompassing ceasefire.

"The next step must be a complete ceasefire for Ukraine and as quickly as possible. Of course, it is clear that we both agree on this, too," Scholz said during the joint press conference with Macron.