While the Russian President has reportedly agreed to halt attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, this 30-day ceasefire leaves many key issues unresolved.

The temporary agreement doesn’t cover protection for frontline troops or Ukrainian civilians facing ongoing Russian aerial bombardments.

Putin’s initial agreement followed a 90-minute phone call with the President, who described it on social media as “very good” and “productive.”

He stated, “We agreed to an immediate Ceasefire on all Energy and Infrastructure, with an understanding that we will be working quickly to have a Complete Ceasefire and, ultimately, an END to this very horrible War between Russia and Ukraine. That process is now in full force and effect, and we will, hopefully, for the sake of Humanity, get the job done!”

Trump later commented on the “Ingraham Angle” that pressing Putin further on a ceasefire “would have been tough, Russia has the advantage.”

Special Envoy Steve Witkoff mentioned on Tuesday that National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Saudi Arabia on Sunday to discuss the details of the agreement.

The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office did not respond to inquiries, but Zelenskyy posted on X that “Putin effectively rejected the proposal for a full ceasefire.”

He continued, “It would be right for the world to respond by rejecting any attempts by Putin to prolong the war,” emphasizing Russia’s ongoing attacks on Ukrainian civilians, including a recent Shahed drone strike on a hospital in Ukraine’s Sumy region.

Zelenskyy outlined steps for the West to counter Putin: “Sanctions against Russia. Assistance to Ukraine. Strengthening allies in the free world and working toward security guarantees. Only a real cessation of strikes on civilian infrastructure by Russia, as proof of its willingness to end this war, can bring peace closer.”

The Trump administration has stated that negotiations can only begin after a ceasefire is secured, although the path forward remains unclear without a truce that includes civilian protection from Russian aerial attacks.

Neither the State Department nor the White House answered questions regarding the President’s belief that Putin “wants to make peace,” despite past accusations of Putin not being “serious” during previous attempts to negotiate security guarantees for Ukraine.

Officials from and the EU remained silent after the call between Trump and Putin.

Ukraine agreed to a ceasefire last week following a lengthy meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, who said they would then present the agreement “to the Russians.”

While Washington provided limited details on Kyiv’s agreed negotiations, Zelenskyy stated that the U.S. advocated for a complete ceasefire along the front lines, in the air, and on the Black Sea – something Trump apparently couldn’t secure in his discussions with Putin.

Zelenskyy added that his delegation discussed the “release of prisoners of war and detainees — both military and civilian — and the return of Ukrainian children who were forcibly transferred to Russia.”

While the Kremlin announced Putin’s agreement to a 175-prisoner swap with Ukraine, there was no mention of the children Kyiv reports being forcibly abducted, primarily from Luhansk and Donetsk, and then placed in adoption schemes in Russia.

Numerous issues remain to be negotiated between Ukraine and Russia, which the U.S. has acknowledged.

Putin has already stated that Ukraine shouldn’t be allowed to join NATO – a stance the Trump administration has supported due to concerns it could escalate Russia’s war.

European leaders and Zelenskyy have argued that should be placed in Ukraine to prevent future Russian invasions, but Moscow has signaled this would be seen as a threat.

Issues such as Western arms supplies, international recognition of Russian-occupied lands, Ukraine’s future security, Ukrainian troops in Kursk, and Russia’s ongoing aerial campaigns targeting civilian populations remain major points of contention.

“Putin doesn’t share Trump’s abhorrence of war,” former CIA Moscow Station Chief Dan Hoffman told Digital. “At this point there’s no indication that he’s going to do anything else but negotiate with an eye towards ensuring Ukraine can’t deter future Russian attacks.”

Hoffman also suggested the Trump administration should avoid a situation where Washington desires a ceasefire more than Moscow.

“The strategic objective is still to destroy Ukraine,” Hoffman said. “The question is, Putin has not agreed to a ceasefire, so what are you going to do about?”

“Define success by what serves U.S. national security interests. A bad deal would not serve our interests,” he added.

“Let them go negotiate,” Hoffman said.