Putin agrees to halt attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, but rejects full ceasefire

Wednesday 19 March 2025 - 11:10

By: Zahouani Ilham

Putin agrees to halt attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, but rejects full ceasefire

Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on March 18 to temporarily stop attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities, but he refused to endorse a full 30-day ceasefire proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, which was seen as a potential step toward a permanent peace agreement. Ukraine expressed its support for the scaled-back agreement, which would halt attacks on energy infrastructure for a month. However, experts suggested Putin’s decision might be a tactic to gain time while Russian forces continue to advance in eastern Ukraine.

The White House indicated that discussions would begin immediately about a broader ceasefire, including talks about a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, and efforts to work toward a permanent peace deal. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff announced that talks would take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday. Despite this, it remained unclear whether Ukraine would be part of these discussions.

Putin’s directive to stop attacks on energy sites came after a lengthy conversation with Trump. However, the Russian president expressed concerns that a temporary ceasefire might allow Ukraine to regroup and rearm, and reiterated his demand that any resolution would require an end to all foreign military and intelligence support to Ukraine. In contrast, Trump told Fox News that the issue of aid to Ukraine did not come up during the call.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed his country’s support for the 30-day energy ceasefire but condemned continued Russian attacks, citing recent drone strikes on Ukrainian facilities. Zelenskyy criticized Putin for rejecting the proposal for a full ceasefire and urged the international community to hold Russia accountable for prolonging the war.

Trump, who has had a complex relationship with Zelenskyy, described the call with Putin as positive, though it did not produce the full ceasefire he had hoped for. Experts, including Kristine Berzina from the German Marshall Fund, described the agreement as a minor step forward, noting that it revealed Russia’s reluctance to make significant progress toward ending the war.

Since Russia’s 2022 invasion, Ukraine has launched counterattacks on Russian territory, including energy sites, in an effort to weaken Russia’s economy. Some analysts believe the ceasefire on energy infrastructure could benefit Russia by reducing the pressure on its economy.

In a social media post, Trump suggested that both leaders agreed to work towards a ceasefire and a permanent peace agreement, noting that the discussions touched on the heavy loss of life and the desire to end the conflict. Zelenskyy, meanwhile, emphasized that Europe must be involved in any peace negotiations.

As the ceasefire discussions unfold, the war continues to exact a heavy toll, with both sides suffering significant casualties and the destruction of cities and towns. European allies are concerned about the shifting U.S. approach to the conflict and the potential implications for the region.