Ukraine

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The Kremlin did not say a direct “no” but expressed “agreement” with Trump’s proposed 30-day moratorium on attacks against energy infrastructure. Russia will temporarily refrain from striking Ukraine’s gas and oil facilities, while Ukraine is expected to halt attacks on Russian refineries and oil storage sites.A second key development is a prisoner exchange, with Russia handing over 23 severely wounded Ukrainian soldiers. However, Putin rejected a broader truce, setting conditions that are clearly unacceptable: • Halting mobilization, • Ending military aid to Ukraine.These demands would give Russia a strategic advantage within a month. The talks were far from a success for Trump, but the Kremlin used its traditional “flanking diplomacy,” offering to mediate with the Houthis in Yemen, assist in nuclear negotiations with Iran, and discuss Black Sea shipping security—a topic Russia may later use to push for the “demilitarization of Odesa.”Another major proposal was a potential joint sale of natural gas to Europe. Ahead of the talks, Russia eased restrictions on foreign asset sales, signaling openness to economic agreements.No concrete deal was reached, but Putin extended a financially attractive offer to the U.S. The key question now is how Trump will respond—he cannot declare the talks a failure, but Washington’s stance will become clearer in the coming weeks as Biden’s latest sanctions package takes effect.