“Agreement on Ceasefire in Energy and Infrastructure, Differences over Western Military Support
Opinion on the Effectiveness of a Step-by-Step Ceasefire ‘On the 23rd (local time), the United States and Russia will continue discussions on a ceasefire in the Ukraine war in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. With differing opinions between Russia and Ukraine regarding the suspension of Western military support, attention is focused on whether the US and Russia will reach an agreement.’
Steve Witkoff, a special envoy to the Middle East under President Trump, mentioned in an interview with Fox News on the 18th that President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin had agreed to a ceasefire in the energy and infrastructure sectors, stating that the negotiations would start in Jeddah on Sunday.
Witkoff added, “I believe Russia has agreed to both” and “I am sure Ukraine will also agree to it.”
He announced that Marco Rubio, Secretary of State, and Mike Waltz, National Security Advisor, would attend the negotiations, but did not mention Russian attendees.
Previously, President Trump and President Putin had a 90-minute phone call where they agreed in principle to a ‘partial ceasefire’ for 30 days regarding mutual attacks on energy and infrastructure facilities.
The White House announced that both leaders agreed on a ceasefire in the energy infrastructure sector and that technical negotiations for the implementation of a ceasefire in the Black Sea as well as a comprehensive ceasefire and permanent peace would begin immediately in the Middle East.
After the phone call with President Putin, President Trump expressed confidence saying, “I think we will eventually make a deal,” although there is skepticism about Russia’s commitment to the ceasefire. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported, “However, overnight airstrikes on Ukraine’s eastern Sloviansk energy grid by Russia have raised doubts about Putin’s adherence to the ceasefire agreed with Trump.”
President Zelensky criticized President Putin for not agreeing to an unconditional ceasefire in an interview with journalists, claiming that Russia is preparing new offensives in southern and northern Ukraine. He remarked, “It is an ultimatum since the beginning of the war. He has not changed.”
Some interpret that just because President Trump did not mediate the final negotiations this week, it does not mean that an agreement will not be reached later. They believe that slowing down the negotiation process is better to avoid misunderstandings and miscalculations by both sides.
Samuel Charap from the RAND Corporation stated, “A phased ceasefire approach is likely to be much more effective,” predicting that “it can provide confidence because it is a method that allows verification and understanding of intentions at each stage.”