Summary: The call readouts from both sides are out, outlining the some 90-minute ‘positive’ conversation between Presidents Trump and Putin.
The huge ‘win’ for Trump diplomacy is getting his Russian counterpart’s agreement to halt all aerial strikes on Ukraine’s badly damaged energy infrastructure. This is a first of the war. It marks a huge victory for the White House, albeit much will be determined on Ukraine’s willingness to cooperate.
After all, Zelensky has been cut out of this deal-making and is in the meantime being urged on to escalate action from some quarters of Europe, particularly the UK, France, and the Baltic states. “Both leaders agreed this conflict needs to end with a lasting peace,” the White House readout says. It pledges that Washington and Moscow will improve the bilateral relationship with an eye towards achieving “enormous economic deals and geopolitical stability when peace has been achieved.”
🚨 Readout of President Donald J. Trump's Call with President Vladimir Putin:
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) March 18, 2025
"This conflict should never have started and should have been ended long ago with sincere and good faith peace efforts. The leaders agreed that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and… pic.twitter.com/H7w7FjWDc3
“This conflict should never have started and should have been ended long ago with sincere and good faith peace efforts,” the US readout emphasizes, in another swipe at the Biden administration. The Russian readout crucially acknowledges the commitment for a 30-day pause in attacks on energy infrastructure. “During the conversation, Trump proposed a mutual agreement between both sides to refrain from striking energy infrastructure for 30 days. Putin welcomed the initiative and immediately instructed the Russian military to comply,” it says.
Further, “Putin also responded constructively to Trump’s proposal regarding maritime security in the Black Sea, and both leaders agreed to initiate negotiations to further refine the details of such an arrangement.” But the bulk of the Kremlin readout is very guarded, as expected:
Reaffirming his commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict, President Putin expressed readiness to work closely with American partners on a thorough and comprehensive settlement. He emphasized that any agreement must be sustainable and long-term, addressing the root causes of the crisis while considering Russia’s legitimate security interests.
Regarding President Trump’s initiative for a 30-day ceasefire, the Russian side highlighted key concerns, including effective monitoring of the ceasefire across the entire front line, halting forced mobilization in Ukraine, and stopping the rearmament of its military. Russia also noted serious risks due to Kiev’s history of undermining previous agreements and drew attention to terrorist attacks carried out by Ukrainian militants against civilians in the Kursk region.
It was emphasized that a crucial condition for preventing further escalation and working toward a political-diplomatic resolution is the complete cessation of foreign military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
Germany’s Scholz has in immediate response said “there must be no decisions” on the war “without Ukraine’s backing”. This coming evening and overnight will be crucial, as for the past week nighttime cross-border drone strikes on either side have been constant. Highlights of the Trump-Putin call below:
* * *
Update(1333ET): According to the emerging call readouts, Putin and Trump held “detailed and frank talks on Ukraine”. Both are characterizing that the call went ‘very well’. But much in the readouts. The White House called for the need for peace and a ceasefire in the Ukraine war. Putin agreed to start talks to “work something out”. But perhaps the most substantial agreement included a Putin pledge not to hit Ukraine’s energy infrastructure for a period of 30-days, in an apparent nod to the US-backed interim ceasefire proposal:
But so far the plan to refrain from energy attacks is an ‘idea’ – suggesting that if Ukraine keeps up its own cross-border attacks on Russia, it will all be moot.
Will this really take shape?
* * *
Update(1235ET): The highly anticipated Trump-Putin call has ended, and given the length (akin to the first one), there was no doubt a lot covered, which included the prioritization of working on “normalization” of US-Russia ties, as earlier previewed by the White House:
PHONE CALL LASTED ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF: MSNBC
It was widely reported earlier Tuesday that the US could be ready to extend to Moscow the recognition of sovereignty over the Crimean peninsula, which should be the easiest to grant. The White House has also been floating possible territorial concessions – something which Zelensky and hawkish supporters in the EU have rejected.
* * *
Just ahead of the high-stakes phone call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, Bloomberg is reporting that the Russian leader will stipulate that all weapons deliveries to Ukraine, including US and European aid, be suspended. At this very moment the European Union has been busy ramping up efforts to deliver fresh military aid packages.
This comes as no surprise, given that from the start Moscow has condemned the build-up of NATO military infrastructure in Ukraine. It will be the first call between the two since Washington advanced the 30-day ceasefire plan with an aim of achieving a lasting peace. Putin is also expected to request that Ukraine’s military cannot resupply or conduct training – especially by Western military programs – during the interim truce.
“Many elements of a Final Agreement have been agreed to, but much remains,” Trump wrote Monday on Truth Social. He stressed that the war “must end NOW.” Reports say the call is expected between 9am and 11am Washington time, and will include focus on “further normalization” – the Russian side indicated.
Trump’s prior mention of “dividing up certain assets” was cause for much speculation on Monday, with much of the commentary focused on the likely question of control over Ukraine’s nuclear power plants.
According to the latest from Bloomberg:
And: As of 8:00am S&P futures are down 0.3%, losing ground after Bloomberg reported Russian President Vladimir Putin is demanding a suspension of all weapons deliveries to Ukraine…
There are also reports saying that the US is mulling recognizing Crimea as part of Russia, and that it may urge the Untied Nations to do the same. This could be an ‘easy’ one for the US, which is likely to entice Putin.
Trump had continued in his Monday social media post, “I look very much forward to the call with President Putin. Many elements of a Final Agreement have been agreed to, but much remains.”
And Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday that the two leaders will discuss “a large number of issues from the normalization of our relations and the Ukrainian issue.” He said, “The leaders will speak for as long as they deem necessary” – after their first phone call had lasted 90-minutes.
EU leaders are said to be “trembling”… “That is why there is a mood of alarm in Europe’s capitals,” Bild wrote Tuesday. This also as Trump has floated the possibility of dropping anti-Russia sanctions for the sake of peace.
Your support is crucial in helping us defeat mass censorship. Please consider donating via Locals or check out our unique merch. Follow us on X @ModernityNews.
Source link