A two-hour phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 18 resulted in a series of preliminary agreements concerning the ongoing conflict in Donbas. Notably, Ukraine was not included in these negotiations. This call marked the first direct contact between the two leaders in a month and came amid ongoing combat operations in Donbas and recent shifts in US foreign policy toward Russia.
March 18: Trump-Putin Phone Call
The Kremlin and the White House confirmed that Presidents Trump and Putin engaged in detailed discussions concerning a US proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine. The Kremlin described the conversation as “detailed and frank,” while the White House emphasized the need for a “durable peace” and improved US-Russia bilateral relations.
One of the main outcomes of the call was an agreement on a mutual 30-day suspension of strikes on energy infrastructure. According to Moscow, this partial ceasefire applies exclusively to energy targets and does not include other forms of military engagement. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that continued Russian attacks on Ukraine are justified, as the ceasefire does not cover other infrastructure.
Further discussions were initiated on a potential maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, while the White House confirmed that Russia had agreed to a prisoner exchange with Ukraine involving 175 prisoners of war, scheduled for March 19.
Sport Diplomacy: Hockey Match Proposal
The conversation comes amid significant shifts in US policy aimed at normalizing diplomatic relations with Russia. In addition to discussions on Ukraine, Trump and Putin reportedly addressed cooperation in the Middle East—focusing on non-proliferation efforts and preventing Iran from posing a threat to Israel—as well as potential economic agreements.
A symbol of the White House and Kremlin’s rapprochement is the proposed organization of ice hockey matches between Russian and American players. The games would feature athletes from Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) and the US National Hockey League (NHL). The proposal comes at a time when Russian and Belarusian teams remain barred from international competitions due to the War in Donbas.
Trump reportedly supported the idea, although the White House has not issued a statement on the proposal. The NHL expressed surprise at the announcement, noting that it had not been involved in the discussions and that it was inappropriate to comment at this stage.
Putin, known for his personal enthusiasm for hockey, has frequently appeared on the ice in public.
March 19: Trump-Zelensky Talks
Following a separate phone call with Trump on March 19, Zelensky announced that the two leaders had agreed to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense capabilities.
According to White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, Trump pledged to assist Ukraine in acquiring additional air defense systems, including sourcing options from Europe. Leavitt also confirmed that intelligence sharing to support Ukraine’s defense will continue.
Meanwhile, Zelensky has publicly declared Ukraine’s readiness for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire but criticized Russia for imposing preconditions. He emphasized that these measures are intended to create conditions for negotiating a comprehensive peace agreement.
Military Operations and Allegations of Ceasefire Violations
While discussions of a partial ceasefire were underway, Ukrainian special forces continued operations against Russian military targets. Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate confirmed recent strikes on Russian installations in Crimea, including the targeting of an S-300 surface-to-air missile launcher, ST-68 and Kasta radar command posts, and three Pantsir-S1 missile and gun systems. Ukrainian forces also reportedly attacked a tugboat and a Mi-8 helicopter.
Russia has responded by stating that Ukraine is undermining efforts to implement the ceasefire. Peskov accused Ukraine of conducting a “deliberate” strike on an oil depot in Krasnodar, southern Russia, which he claimed contradicts the Russo-American efforts to de-escalate the conflict.
In addition , Ukrainian armed forces reported 64 combat engagements with Russian troops since March 19 morning, with heavy fighting concentrated around Pokrovsk in Donetsk, where 29 clashes were recorded. Additional Russian offensives occurred in Novopavlivka, Kharkiv, Kupiansk, Lyman, Toretsk, and in southern regions including Huliaipole and Orikhiv. Attacks were also reported in Russia’s Kursk region.
US envoy Steve Witkoff previously clarified that, from the American perspective, the ceasefire applies to both energy and infrastructure in general, not to combat operations.
The Fragile Ceasefire and the Future of Peace Talks
While the brokered agreement represents a step toward potential peace, the ceasefire remains fragile. Notably, Zelensky’s acceptance of the proposed terms came under US pressure, despite Trump holding no official mandate to negotiate on Ukraine’s behalf.
Furthermore, Moscow asserts that the ceasefire agreement applies solely to energy infrastructure, differing from the US interpretation of the partial ceasefire. As mentioned above, combat operations continue, and strikes on non-energy targets remain justified under this divergence between the parties.
In addition, Moscow’s demands for a more comprehensive ceasefire are firmly tied to the complete suspension of US military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. Putin has made clear that without these conditions, no broader agreement can be reached. He also stressed the need to end Ukraine’s forced mobilization and rearmament efforts, along with establishing effective control mechanisms along the entire line of contact.Meanwhile, Zelensky emphasized the impossibility of meeting all of Russia’s demands—particularly the complete halt to foreign military support—describing them as major obstacles to reaching a broader agreement.
Finally, critics on both sides have warned that any total ceasefire could be used by both Ukraine and Russia as an opportunity to rearm and redeploy their forces.
The next round of US-Russia talks on the Ukraine conflict will be held in Saudi Arabia, either Sunday or early next week, while Ukrainian and US teams are also expected to meet in the Middle East in the coming days to coordinate further peace efforts and security guarantees.
Strategic Implications of the US-Russia Negotiations on Ukraine
The partial ceasefire and ongoing negotiations between the US and Russia carry significant implications for the balance of power in the War in Donbas and for broader international relations.
- Diplomatically, the phone call between Trump and Putin, as well as the topics discussed, signal a new phase in Russo-American relations. Trump’s direct involvement in negotiations—despite lacking an official mandate from Ukraine—illustrates a shift in US foreign policy priorities and has prompted skepticism among traditional allies.
- Militarily, while the agreement to halt strikes on energy infrastructure represents a step toward de-escalation, its limited scope and persistent disagreements over conditions could hinder progress toward a comprehensive peace.
- Politically, the exclusion of Ukraine from key negotiations raises concerns about the legitimacy and sustainability of any potential settlement.
Ultimately, the fragile nature of the ceasefire, combined with ongoing military activity and complex diplomatic dynamics, underscores the uncertainty surrounding prospects for a durable peace.