**Putin Declines Full Ukraine Ceasefire, Agrees to Energy Infrastructure Halt**

*The latest communication between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin has led to a temporary agreement to pause attacks on energy infrastructure in Ukraine, but a comprehensive ceasefire remains out of reach, with Moscow citing essential preconditions.*

Vladimir Putin has dismissed calls for a complete ceasefire in Ukraine during a recent conversation with US President Donald Trump, agreeing instead to a limited halt on attacks aimed at energy infrastructure. Following the dialogue, Putin stated that any broader peace initiatives must be accompanied by a cessation of foreign military aid and intelligence support to Ukraine, a condition that has already been rebuffed by Ukraine's European allies.

Discussions surrounding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine are set to resume on Sunday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as the US envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, continues diplomatic efforts. The conflict, now stretching over three years, has witnessed Russia regaining some territory in the Kursk region previously held by Ukrainian forces.

In the wake of Trump's diplomatic push last week, an agreement was made for a proposed "immediate" 30-day ceasefire, spanning land, air, and sea. However, Putin's recent stance has shifted the chessboard, indicating a retreat in the US assertions from just a week ago, although both leaders have acknowledged the necessity of ongoing negotiations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was in Helsinki for an official visit, expressed an openness to the idea of a truce focusing on energy infrastructure, yet he demanded further clarity on terms. He also reported fresh Russian drone assaults, which included strikes on civilian targets such as a hospital in Sumy and power supplies in Slovyansk, emphasizing the escalation of hostilities despite the call between the two leaders.

Trump remarked positively on the phone call, announcing a potentially fruitful dialogue and a mutual understanding to work towards a broader ceasefire and an ultimate peace resolution for the ongoing war. Zelensky had earlier highlighted that approximately 80% of Ukraine's energy infrastructure has already been decimated by relentless Russian strikes.

Despite the breakthrough on energy infrastructure, both nations accused each other of initiating airstrikes shortly after the conversation ended. While Zelensky noted an uptick in drone activity from Russia—their perspective reflected as aggressors—Russian officials countered with reports of Ukrainian drone attacks causing fires at oil depots in their territory.

After last week’s engagements in Jeddah, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented that responsibility now lay with Russia, after the Ukrainian side consented to a full ceasefire proposal from Washington. However, following the Trump-Putin call, the White House refrained from reaffirming that agreement, focusing instead on the energy cessation and subsequent discussions around further ceasefire terms.

The Kremlin highlighted that a variety of significant issues must be addressed before any agreements could be enforced, identifying the cessation of international military support to Ukraine as a pivotal demand. Both leaders agreed to initiate immediate technical discussions aimed at formulating a sustainable and long-term resolution, though it remains ambiguous whether this would involve direct negotiations between the US and Russia or between Russia and Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Putin expressed interests in cultural exchanges, suggesting professional ice hockey matches between US and Russian players—an ironic proposal given that Russia has faced isolation in sports events post-invasion.

As diplomatic conversations unfold, many experts are left questioning the sincerity of Putin’s commitment to ceasefire, viewing his conditional stance as an attempt to gain leverage while adding significant barriers to any potential peace agreement.