Trump, Putin agree to seek limited ceasefire in Ukraine

The US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed during a call on Tuesday to seek a limited ceasefire against energy and infrastructure targets in the Russia-Ukraine war, according to the White House.

The White House described it as the first step in a "movement to peace" it hopes will eventually include a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and a full and lasting end to the fighting.

The White House said negotiations would "begin immediately" on those steps. It was not immediately clear whether Ukraine is on board with the phased ceasefire plan.

The Kremlin said in its readout of the call with Trump that Putin noted a key condition for settling the conflict is a full halt to foreign military aid and intelligence assistance to Kyiv.

It said Putin had a positive response to Trump's proposal for Russia and Ukraine to halt strikes on energy infrastructure for 30 days and gave relevant orders to the Russian military.

The Kremlin added that the Russian leader told Trump that Russia was ready to guarantee that Ukrainian soldiers blocked in Russia's Kursk region will save their lives and be treated in line with international law if they surrender.

It said Putin also responded constructively to Trump's proposal to ensure safe shipping in the Black Sea, and the two leaders agreed to start talks to discuss details of the agreement.

Putin also called on Trump to end foreign military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine as the US looks to bring an end to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to the Kremlin.

Associated Press