In a significant diplomatic development, Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump held a phone conversation on March 18, marking their second direct dialogue since Trump’s return to the White House in January. The Kremlin confirmed that the call focused on efforts to de-escalate the Ukraine conflict, with both leaders discussing the potential for a mutual halt to strikes on energy infrastructure.

According to the Kremlin’s statement, Putin expressed his support for Trump’s proposal that Russia and Ukraine mutually agree to a 30-day halt on attacks targeting energy infrastructure. In response, the Russian president has instructed the military to implement this directive.

“The Russian President also responded constructively to Donald Trump’s idea of implementing a previously-discussed initiative concerning the safety of navigation in the Black Sea,” the statement read, highlighting another key point of agreement between the two leaders. It further stated that both Moscow and Washington had agreed to open negotiations on this matter in the coming days.

The Kremlin’s confirmation follows Washington’s unveiling of a 30-day ceasefire initiative last week after a meeting with Ukrainian representatives in Saudi Arabia. The proposal is seen as a major step toward temporary de-escalation, although significant hurdles remain.

While Putin has signaled openness to the idea of a truce, he has outlined certain conditions that he insists must be addressed before any ceasefire takes effect. These include concerns over Ukrainian troops reportedly encircled in Russia’s Kursk Region, as well as guarantees that Kiev would not exploit the truce to reinforce its military capabilities.

Moscow has consistently expressed skepticism about temporary ceasefires, arguing that past truces have allowed Ukraine to rearm, regroup, and extend the conflict. Russian officials are reportedly pushing for legally binding assurances that Ukraine will not use the 30-day ceasefire as a strategic pause to acquire new Western weapons or reposition its forces.

The recent Trump-Putin phone call builds upon prior diplomatic engagements that have taken place in recent weeks. The first direct conversation between the two leaders occurred on February 12, marking the first high-level contact between Russia and the US in years. This was followed by high-level discussions in Saudi Arabia on February 18, where Washington and Moscow agreed to assign negotiation teams to work toward a resolution to the Ukraine conflict, restore embassy operations, and address other pressing bilateral disputes.

Further diplomatic efforts have been pursued in Istanbul, with talks focusing on financial mechanisms for diplomacy and a potential Russian proposal to reinstate direct flights between Moscow and Washington. While no concrete agreements have yet been reached on these additional matters, the engagement signals a renewed effort to restore some level of diplomatic dialogue between the two countries.

Ahead of the phone call, President Trump had expressed optimism about making significant progress toward establishing a ceasefire. He stated that he and Putin would discuss a range of issues, including “land” and “power plants.” While the details of their discussions on territorial matters remain undisclosed, Trump’s emphasis on energy infrastructure aligns with his broader push for stability in energy markets and preventing further escalation of the war’s economic consequences.

Trump has long been critical of the US’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict, arguing that diplomacy and direct engagement with Moscow would be more effective in bringing about peace. His approach contrasts sharply with that of his predecessor, Joe Biden, whose administration had heavily backed military aid to Ukraine without pursuing direct negotiations with Moscow.

The Ukrainian government has yet to officially respond to the details of the Trump-Putin call, but sources in Kiev have indicated skepticism about the feasibility of the proposed ceasefire. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly voiced concerns that any pause in fighting would ultimately benefit Russia, allowing its forces to consolidate their positions while Ukraine remains dependent on Western military support.

Additionally, Kiev has been pushing for continued military aid from NATO allies, despite growing war fatigue among Western nations. European countries and US lawmakers are facing increasing pressure from their domestic populations to scale back involvement in the war, making the Trump-led diplomatic push more appealing to some segments of the international community.

The renewed dialogue between Trump and Putin signals a potential shift in US-Russia relations, particularly in the context of ongoing geopolitical realignments. Trump’s willingness to engage directly with Moscow could mark a departure from the adversarial stance taken by previous US administrations, raising questions about how NATO allies and other international stakeholders will respond.

For European nations, any US-Russia rapprochement could have significant consequences for security policies and long-term strategies regarding Ukraine. NATO countries, particularly those in Eastern Europe, remain wary of any agreements that might weaken Ukraine’s position or leave it vulnerable to further Russian advances.

Moreover, China, which has maintained a delicate balance in its relations with both Moscow and Washington, is likely to closely monitor these developments. A potential thaw in US-Russia ties could have ripple effects on global power dynamics, impacting everything from energy markets to security alliances in the Indo-Pacific region.

The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the Trump-Putin phone call translates into tangible steps toward de-escalation. The US and Russia will need to establish clear mechanisms for monitoring and enforcing the proposed 30-day ceasefire, while also addressing concerns from Ukraine and its allies.

Additionally, the role of European powers in these negotiations remains uncertain. While some leaders may welcome a diplomatic breakthrough, others are likely to remain cautious, given the complexities of the conflict and the potential ramifications of US-Russia detente.

For now, the Trump-Putin conversation represents a notable moment in ongoing efforts to end hostilities in Ukraine. Whether it leads to meaningful progress or becomes another stalled peace effort remains to be seen. However, the renewed engagement between Washington and Moscow underscores the enduring importance of diplomacy in resolving one of the world’s most pressing conflicts.

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Source: Weekly Blitz :: Writings