New World Order? Trump-Putin Call Signals End of War in Ukraine Nearing

In a major diplomatic development, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to start negotiations in the Middle East aimed at resolving the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The decision follows a two-hour phone conversation between the two leaders on Tuesday, during which they discussed steps toward a potential ceasefire.

While a full halt to the fighting remains uncertain, the most immediate outcome of the call was what the White House referred to as an "energy and infrastructure ceasefire." The Kremlin later confirmed that Russia would pause attacks on Ukraine’s energy facilities for 30 days. The White House statement suggested that Ukraine would also be expected to comply.

The conflict, which has seen Ukraine launching drone strikes on Russian fuel facilities and Russia targeting Ukraine’s energy grid, remains a focal point of international concern.

Prisoner Swap, another key outcome 

Another key outcome of the Trump-Putin conversation was an agreement on a prisoner exchange. According to the Kremlin, both sides will release 175 soldiers as part of a goodwill gesture.

Additionally, the White House announced that technical negotiations will begin on implementing a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea. These discussions will take place alongside broader talks on achieving a permanent peace deal.

“These negotiations will begin immediately in the Middle East,” the White House statement confirmed. Previous discussions involving the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia have taken place in Saudi Arabia, raising the possibility that Riyadh could once again host the talks.

Putin Signals Hesitation Over Full Ceasefire

Despite these developments, Putin remains cautious about Trump’s proposal for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire. While Ukraine had already agreed to the plan last week, the Kremlin has requested further clarifications and outlined conditions that must be met before fully committing to halting hostilities.

However, the White House remains optimistic, emphasizing that both leaders believe peace is the ultimate goal.

"Today, President Trump and President Putin spoke about the need for peace and a ceasefire in the Ukraine war. Both leaders agreed this conflict needs to end with a lasting peace," the White House statement read.

The statement also underscored a broader vision for improved U.S.-Russia relations. "The two leaders agreed that a future with an improved bilateral relationship between the United States and Russia has huge upside. This includes enormous economic deals and geopolitical stability when peace has been achieved."

Next Steps in the Peace Process

While a complete ceasefire is yet to be secured, the agreements on energy infrastructure and prisoner exchanges mark a step toward de-escalation. Both sides will now move forward with diplomatic efforts in the Middle East to negotiate long-term solutions.

As discussions unfold, the global community will be watching closely to see if these talks can lead to a breakthrough in the conflict that has persisted for over two years.