RUSSIA UKRAINE WAR

Russia and U.S. Agree to Limited Ceasefire in Ukraine Following Trump-Putin Call March 18, 2025

The United States and Russia have agreed to a 30-day pause in attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure following a high-level phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Both the White House and the Kremlin released statements outlining the conditions of the ceasefire, which marks a tentative step toward broader negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing conflict.

According to the White House, the agreement represents an initial move toward peace, with plans to negotiate a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and work toward a comprehensive resolution to the war. The Biden administration has stated that discussions on these broader measures will begin immediately, though it remains unclear whether Ukraine has endorsed the phased ceasefire plan. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared a readout of the call in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Putin’s Demands and U.S. Negotiations

The Kremlin’s statement outlined Russia’s conditions for continued talks, with Putin emphasizing the necessity of halting all foreign military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine. Moscow claims this measure is essential to preventing further escalation of the war, which has entered its fourth year.

During the call, which lasted over 90 minutes, the two leaders reportedly discussed various aspects of a potential final agreement. According to a White House source, the conversation was "going well." Trump stated a day prior that while "many elements of a final agreement have been agreed to, much remains to be finalized."

One of the key points under discussion is the fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine, which Russian forces seized in the early weeks of the war. U.S. officials, including special envoy Steve Witkoff and Karoline Leavitt, indicated that negotiations on control of the plant had been ongoing between Washington and Moscow.

"There’s a power plant that is on the border of Russia and Ukraine that was up for discussion with the Ukrainians, and [Trump] will address it in his call with Putin tomorrow," Leavitt said on Monday.

Shortly after Putin signaled readiness for peace following his call with the U.S. president, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took to Twitter to respond, dismissing Russia’s stance as manipulative and insincere.

“We have all heard Putin’s predictable words on a ceasefire, but in reality, he is preparing to reject it,” Zelensky wrote. “He won’t tell President Trump directly that he wants to continue this war, so instead, Moscow surrounds the ceasefire with preconditions designed to stall or derail it. This is a familiar tactic—Putin never outright says ‘no,’ but he delays and makes real solutions impossible.”

Zelensky highlighted that the U.S. had proposed an unconditional ceasefire across air, sea, and frontline operations, which Ukraine accepted. He noted that American and European partners were ready to monitor and verify compliance, making the ceasefire entirely feasible.

During this pause, discussions could take place to establish long-term security and a lasting peace plan. “Ukraine is ready to work quickly and constructively,” he added, emphasizing that European and global allies are fully informed of the situation.

He accused Russia of being the only party obstructing peace, stating, “They need this war. Putin has stolen years of peace and continues this conflict day after day.” Zelensky called for increased international pressure on Russia, urging stronger sanctions and collective action to force an end to the war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the possibility of restoring Russian-American relations, stating that former U.S. President Donald Trump is actively working to reverse what he described as damage caused by the Biden administration.

Putin confirmed that he recently spoke with Trump and addressed the situation in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian soldiers are surrounded. He expressed willingness to spare their lives if they surrender but emphasized that those responsible for crimes against civilians would be prosecuted as terrorists.

Overall, this highlights Trump’s efforts to position himself as a peacemaker, taking significant steps toward ending the conflict, improving U.S.-Russia relations, and preventing further escalation into a larger global crisis. His statement read : We have read today’s appeal from President Trump to spare the lives of servicemen of the Ukrainian Army in the Kursk region. In this regard, please note that Ukrainian militants have committed numerous crimes against civilians. These acts, as I have already stated, are classified by us as terrorism. At the same time, we are sympathetic to President Trump’s call to be guided by humanitarian considerations regarding these servicemen. In this regard, I emphasize that if they lay down their arms and surrender, they will be guaranteed life and dignified treatment. To effectively implement President Trump’s call, there must be an appropriate order from the military and political leadership of Ukraine to its troops to lay down their arms and surrender.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed support for a ceasefire "in principle," but attached significant conditions. He emphasized that any ceasefire must be based on the agreement that Ukraine must meet certain terms, including the recognition of territorial changes and the non-interference in Russia's newly claimed territories. Additionally, Putin stressed that Ukraine must adhere to the demands of Russia, and any peace process should reflect these terms. The ceasefire proposal comes amidst ongoing tensions and the need for a resolution, though the conditions outlined suggest a complex path toward peace. READ MORE : PUTIN BACK CEASE FIRE

Paris, France – A massive protest erupted in Paris today as thousands of French citizens took to the streets to express their outrage over President Emmanuel Macron's continued support for Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. The demonstrators, many of whom identified as "patriots," called for an immediate halt to any further military aid to Ukraine, the withdrawal of French troops from the region, and Macron's resignation.

The protest, which rapidly gained momentum throughout the day, saw passionate crowds chanting slogans such as "Macron, we won't die for Ukraine." Demonstrators voiced their frustration over France's involvement in the conflict, with many arguing that the French government should focus on domestic issues rather than sending resources and troops to support Ukraine.

One of the central points raised by protesters was the significant level of support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky within Ukraine itself. "80% of Ukrainians support Zelensky and are ready to fight until victory," one protester was heard saying, with the remaining 20% of the population "living in Ukraine."

A key element of the protest also revolved around Ukraine’s decision to relinquish its nuclear weapons years ago, reportedly in exchange for security guarantees. Critics of the current geopolitical situation pointed out that the very nations that promised security – including Russia and the United States – are now contributing to the ongoing turmoil in the region.

The French protesters did not shy away from holding Western powers accountable, with many blaming the United States for fueling the conflict and questioning the promises made by former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Ukraine's security.

As the protest continued throughout the day, tensions remained high, with the message clear: many French citizens are calling for an end to France's role in the war and demanding greater attention be paid to national concerns. The movement is rapidly gaining traction across social media, and the political implications for President Macron and his government remain uncertain.

Experts Warn Ukraine Could Struggle Without US Military Assistance

United States President Donald Trump has paused military assistance to Ukraine, a move that could significantly impact Kyiv’s ability to defend itself against Russian forces. Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, the US has been Ukraine’s largest military supporter, providing billions in defense aid. However, Trump’s decision signals a shift in US foreign policy that could have major consequences on the battlefield.

What Happened?

Reports surfaced on Monday that Trump had ordered a pause on US military aid to Ukraine, citing concerns over President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s commitment to peace negotiations. The announcement came shortly after Trump accused Zelenskyy on his Truth Social platform of prolonging the war as long as US support remained intact.

According to The Associated Press, an unnamed White House official stated that the pause would remain in place until Ukraine demonstrates a stronger commitment to peace talks with Russia.

Why Did Trump Halt Military Aid?

Tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy had been growing in recent weeks. Just days before the pause, Zelenskyy stated that an end to the Ukraine war was still "very, very far away," a remark that drew immediate criticism from Trump. During a press briefing in Kyiv, the Ukrainian president emphasized that more military support was needed, only for Trump to counter that statement by arguing the US should not be indefinitely funding the war.

Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Zelenskyy at the White House on February 28. The meeting quickly became tense, with Trump and Vance accusing Zelenskyy of not showing enough gratitude for US military support. The Biden administration’s policy of unequivocal backing for Ukraine has been replaced by Trump’s strategy of engaging in direct peace talks with Russia—talks that have excluded Kyiv and European allies.

How Much Military Aid Has the US Provided?

JUST IN:  Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei says in 2014 he warned that "Europeans are making a strategic mistake by putting themselves at the service of the US. The US will betray them."

US Aligns with Russia in Opposing UN Call for Troop Withdrawal

The United States took an unexpected stance at the United Nations on Monday, breaking away from its European allies by refusing to hold Russia accountable for its ongoing war in Ukraine. In a series of crucial votes on three different UN resolutions, the US’s positioning highlighted a shift in its diplomatic approach to the conflict, sparking global debate.

The Three Resolutions: A Breakdown

1. UN General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution: This resolution called for “advancing a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine.” It urged de-escalation, a cessation of hostilities, and a diplomatic resolution to the war. Despite broad international support, the US voted against it.

2. UN Security Council Resolution (Drafted by the US): Titled The Path to Peace, this resolution called for an immediate end to hostilities and the establishment of long-term peace. However, it notably avoided directly condemning Russia, instead presenting the conflict in neutral terms.

3. A Competing UNGA Resolution: The United States abstained from voting on its own alternative resolution after last-minute amendments strengthened the language condemning Russia’s actions.

How Countries Voted on the UNGA Resolution

Countries That Voted in Favor (93 Nations)

These countries supported the resolution calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and peace negotiations: