Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump, during which he supported the initiative to mutually cease attacks on the energy infrastructure of Russia and Ukraine for 30 days. This was reported by the Kremlin press service, specifying that the conversation took place on March 18 and was devoted to discussing the situation around Ukraine. Putin promptly gave the corresponding order to the Russian military, emphasizing Moscow's readiness to take steps to de-escalate the conflict. 

According to the Kremlin, the leaders exchanged views on ways to resolve the conflict, focusing on Trump's proposal for a 30-day ceasefire. Putin agreed with the idea of ​​temporarily suspending attacks on energy facilities, but stressed that the key to further progress should be a complete cessation of military aid and intelligence transfer to Kyiv from foreign countries. The Kremlin believes that only such measures will create the basis for a transition to a political and diplomatic resolution of the crisis and prevent its further escalation. 

During the conversation, the Russian president also informed Trump about the agreement with Ukraine on a prisoner exchange scheduled for March 19. Under the “175 to 175” formula, the parties will return 175 servicemen to each other. In addition, as a gesture of goodwill, Russia will hand over to Kyiv 23 seriously wounded Ukrainian soldiers who are undergoing treatment in Russian medical facilities. This step, according to Putin, demonstrates Moscow’s desire to reduce tensions and engage in humanitarian cooperation even in the context of the ongoing conflict. 

The talks took place amid intensified diplomatic efforts. Earlier, on March 11, at a meeting in Saudi Arabia, Ukraine supported the ceasefire idea proposed by Trump, which was the first signal of a possible pause in hostilities. According to Reuters, the American leader intends to use this dialogue to freeze the front line, which may include Russia maintaining control over Crimea and some of the new territories. At the same time, Kyiv fears that such agreements will weaken the country's position, especially if the United States reduces support, as it did in early March, when arms supplies were temporarily suspended.