Russia and Ukraine are taking baby steps toward peace.
In Saudi Arabia last week, Ukrainian and American delegates discussed a 30-day peace plan that Ukraine was “ready to accept.” Meetings left the ball in Russia’s court, and President Putin acknowledged that the ceasefire’s “idea is right,” but questions remained about details and enforcement.
Presidents Trump and Putin had a chance to hammer out some details in a nearly three-hour phone call yesterday. Putin agreed to end strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, and the White House said negotiations for a Black Sea truce and permanent ceasefire will “begin immediately in the Middle East.”
Negotiators may have a tall task: Ukraine wants “security guarantees” to prevent future invasions, while Russia says its “key condition” is ending all foreign military and intelligence assistance to Kyiv.