President Putin Agrees With The Proposal To Stop Attacks On Energy Targets

Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Source: Alexander Demianchuk / TASS)

JAKARTA - Russian President Vladimir Putin approved US President Donald Trump's proposal for Russia and Ukraine to stop attacks on their respective energy infrastructure for 30 days and ordered the Russian military to stop it, the Kremlin said on Tuesday.

Russia has attacked Ukraine's energy installations and its electrical networks during the war. In response, Kyiv launched an attack that damaged oil refineries and fuel depots.

If implemented, Tuesday's deal would be a significant de-escalation in the war that broke out since February 24, 2022.

The Kremlin did not mention a special Ukrainian stance regarding the temporary suspension of targeting energy infrastructure, but said President Trump's proposal had spoken of "joint rejection."

However, the deal did not reach the broader US-made deal, and that Ukraine accepted for a 30-day thorough ceasefire in the war.

"During the conversation, (President) Donald Trump proposed to parties in conflict to jointly refrain from attacking energy infrastructure facilities for 30 days. (President) Vladimir Putin responded positively to this initiative and immediately gave appropriate command to the Russian military," the Kremlin said in a statement. a statement, reported Reuters March 19.

Regarding the proposed broader ceasefire, President Putin reiterated the concerns he raised last week, according to a Kremlin statement.

"The Russian side outlined a number of important points regarding ensuring effective control over possible ceasefires along combat contact lines, the need to stop forced mobilization in Ukraine, and reactivate the Ukrainian Armed Forces," the Kremlin said.

President Putin also said that the main requirement for resolving the conflict diplomatically was "the complete cessation of foreign military assistance and the provision of intelligence information to Kyiv", the Kremlin added.

President Putin said he had questioned Ukraine's willingness to negotiate in good faith and accused him of "barbarbaric terrorist crimes" during a seven-month attack on Russia's western Kursk region.

Ukraine denies these atrocities, and also questions Russia's credibility and whether Moscow will respect any agreement.

The Kremlin said the conversation between President Putin and President Trump was a "detailed and honest exchange of views."

It said President Putin had underlined that conflict resolutions must be "comprehensive, sustainable and long-term" and considered Russia's own security interests and the root cause of war.

President Putin, he said, had also "constructively responded" to Trump's initiative to protect shipments in the Black Sea and both sides agreed to start negotiations.

The Kremlin said Russia and Ukraine would exchange other prisoners on Wednesday, involving the exchange of 175 people from each side.

President Putin said he wanted Ukraine to stop its ambition to join NATO, Russia to control the entire four Ukrainian territories it claims as its own, and the number of Ukrainian troops is limited.

He has also explained that he wants Western sanctions to be relaxed and presidential elections held in Ukraine, which Kyiv said were still premature during the military emergency.