U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to agree to a mutual ceasefire on energy infrastructure attacks in Ukraine and Russia before the onset of winter. Amid ongoing efforts to advance peace negotiations, the United States has been urging both Kyiv and Moscow to halt such attacks.
Trump has publicly urged Ukraine to cease targeting Russian energy facilities, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressing support for an energy ceasefire. Although Russia has described the proposal positively, it has not formally committed to a reciprocal pause.
Despite Trump’s skepticism, his negotiating team remains more optimistic following recent talks with Russian officials. U.S. representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner returned from Moscow with the belief that an agreement on energy infrastructure might be achievable.
The proposed ceasefire aims to temporarily stop attacks on power plants and related infrastructure on both sides. For Ukraine, such a deal could protect its energy system as winter approaches, while Washington views it as a potential limited confidence-building measure in the broader peace process.
In addition to the ceasefire discussions, the United States is exploring the possibility of talks involving Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. These discussions could address issues such as an energy truce and the potential reopening of a Black Sea grain corridor.