Putin agrees to 30-day pause on energy attacks

Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to a proposal by U.S. President Donald Trump to halt attacks on energy infrastructure in Ukraine for 30 days. The agreement was announced Tuesday evening by the Russian government offices after a phone conversation between the two presidents. Putin immediately issued the relevant orders to the Russian military. The ceasefire on energy attacks requires reciprocation by Ukraine, which must also refrain from attacking Russian facilities. A mutual agreement could significantly deescalate the conflict that has seen repeated Russian assaults on Ukraine’s power grid and Ukrainian strikes on Russian fuel depots and refineries. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj supports the proposal in principle but seeks further details from Trump. The White House states new negotiations on Ukraine are to commence immediately, focusing on a ceasefire in the Black Sea and establishing lasting peace. Expert groups from Russia and the U.S. agree to forge a deal on Ukraine.