Zelensky and Trump Discuss Partial Cease-Fire to Aid Ukraine

In a significant move towards peace, President Zelensky of Ukraine has accepted a 30-day cease-fire deal on energy targets, following talks with President Trump, who emphasizes the need for U.S. monitoring of the agreement.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has taken a crucial step towards establishing a cease-fire with Russia by agreeing to a mutual 30-day pause on attacks targeting energy sites. During a phone call with President Trump, Zelensky described their exchange as “very good,” and he expressed gratitude for ongoing American support. This conversation came soon after Trump had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin, making this the first dialogue between Zelensky and Trump following their troubled meeting in the Oval Office last month.

The partial cease-fire agreement will necessitate U.S. oversight, with Zelensky stating that Ukraine will compile a list of energy sites that must be safeguarded. “We can’t just rely on Putin’s assurances that he won’t strike our energy sites,” Zelensky emphasized, noting that the realities of war have forced Ukraine to be pragmatic. In a twist, Trump suggested that the U.S. could potentially take control of Ukrainian power plants, a notion that local energy experts deemed impractical.

Additionally, the White House announced upcoming meetings in Saudi Arabia, aimed at discussing broader terms for extending the cease-fire, particularly regarding the situation in the Black Sea. While many of Putin’s concessions during his call with Trump were seen as significant, they appeared more as political maneuvers than genuine compromises.