Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky holds a press conference with the heads of state of France, Germany and Romania, at Mariinsky Palace in Kyiv, on June 16, 2022. - The leaders of major EU powers France, Germany and Italy vowed on June 16 to help Ukraine defeat Russia and to rebuild its shattered cities, in a visit to a war-torn Kyiv suburb. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / POOL / AFP) (Photo by LUDOVIC MARIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Kyiv (International Desk) – Ukraine has agreed to a 30-day temporary and limited ceasefire with Russia. According to foreign news agencies, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has consented to the short-term truce, while former U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed interest in acquiring ownership of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure following his prior interest in the country’s mineral resources.
Reports indicate that President Trump held a one-hour phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart, during which Zelensky thanked the U.S. for its support and agreed to halt attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure. Zelensky further stated that Kyiv is prepared to cease strikes on Russia’s energy network and critical infrastructure.
During the conversation, President Zelensky discussed Trump’s proposal regarding nuclear power plants. He emphasized that he did not feel pressured to make any concessions in favor of Russia. Meanwhile, Trump suggested that the best way to safeguard Ukraine’s energy infrastructure would be to transfer ownership of nuclear and electrical plants to the U.S. However, Ukrainian experts have raised concerns about the feasibility of this proposal, citing that Europe’s largest energy plant, Zaporizhzhia, remains under Russian control.
The exact date for the implementation of the ceasefire remains unclear. However, technical delegations from both sides are expected to meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to discuss extending the truce beyond energy infrastructure to include a halt in hostilities in the Black Sea region.
Meanwhile, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed that President Trump had briefed Zelensky on key points from his recent discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During a press conference, Bruce stated that the phone conversation between Trump and Zelensky was constructive, with the Ukrainian leader expressing appreciation for the joint efforts of U.S. and Ukrainian teams in working towards conflict resolution. She highlighted that senior officials from both countries have made significant progress in advancing peace efforts.
Tammy Bruce further noted that President Zelensky acknowledged and appreciated the U.S. support in achieving stability and peace. Both leaders agreed that Ukraine and the U.S. would work together to achieve a comprehensive resolution to the conflict, emphasizing that lasting peace could be attained under Trump’s leadership.
In addition, both presidents concurred on the significance of the partial ceasefire in the energy sector, which will be further discussed in upcoming talks in Saudi Arabia. They also underscored the importance of broader conflict resolution and security measures. Zelensky reiterated his willingness to adopt a complete ceasefire, while Trump expressed interest in supporting Ukraine’s power generation and nuclear energy operations.
The U.S. has offered technical expertise in managing Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Furthermore, President Zelensky extended his gratitude to Trump for efforts in facilitating prisoner exchanges and increasing humanitarian aid.
Bruce reaffirmed that both leaders are committed to strengthening the ceasefire, directing their teams to work on implementing the truce and resolving its technical challenges.
