According to EqualOcean, on the 18th local time, U.S. President Trump and Russian President Putin held a telephone conversation in which they reached several agreements on establishing a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and advancing the peace process. Both sides agreed to immediately launch technical negotiations focusing on key issues such as Black Sea shipping security, a comprehensive ceasefire, and the protection of energy infrastructure.
U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East, Witkov, told media that talks with Russia on the Ukraine issue are scheduled to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on the 23rd.
During the call, President Trump and President Putin engaged in a candid discussion about the situation in Ukraine. Both leaders concurred that the primary step toward ending the conflict is to implement a ceasefire and resolve the remaining disputes through both technical and political negotiations.
Putin voiced his support for Trump’s proposal that both Russia and Ukraine cease attacks on each other’s energy facilities within 30 days, announcing that he had already issued the necessary orders to the Russian military. Furthermore, Russia will conduct a “175-for-175” prisoner exchange with Ukraine on the 19th, while ensuring that Ukrainian soldiers who surrender in Kursk Oblast are treated humanely in accordance with Russian law.
While both sides agreed to initiate the peace process by halting hostilities in the energy and infrastructure sectors, the Russian side outlined four core conditions: establishing an effective ceasefire monitoring mechanism covering the entire contact line; stopping forced mobilization and the re-arming of Ukrainian forces within Ukraine; completely ending foreign military aid and intelligence support; and ensuring that Russian security interests are incorporated into any final resolution. Putin stressed that halting the external flow of weapons is a crucial precondition for a political solution.
Moreover, the two leaders reached a constructive understanding regarding Trump’s proposal on Black Sea shipping security, agreeing to specify the details of the maritime ceasefire through technical negotiations. The first round of talks will be held in Jeddah, leveraging the region’s neutral diplomatic platform to facilitate discussions. A White House statement noted that these negotiations will “immediately commence in the Middle East”.
This call marked the second direct dialogue between the two leaders since February 12. In addition to the Ukraine issue, they also explored the prospects for normalizing bilateral relations and enhancing energy and economic cooperation. Trump described the conversation as “productive” on social media and revealed that both Putin and Ukrainian President Zelensky are eager to see an end to the conflict. Analysts believe that the upcoming talks in Jeddah will be a critical test of whether the ceasefire commitments can be effectively implemented.
Image source: CCTV
