On March 19, 2025, a flicker of hope emerged in the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, a conflict that has raged for over three years, leaving devastation in its wake. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine is ready to implement a partial ceasefire with Russia, a move that could mark the first step toward ending the relentless violence. This development comes after a series of high-stakes phone calls between Zelenskyy, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, hinting at a possible thaw in the icy standoff. But with drone strikes lighting up the night sky and mutual accusations flying, can this fragile agreement hold?
A Breakthrough Phone Call
The breakthrough began with a phone call on March 18 between Trump and Putin, followed by another between Trump and Zelenskyy the next day. Trump described his hour-long conversation with Zelenskyy as “very good,” saying it focused on aligning the “requests and needs” of Russia and Ukraine. According to a White House statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, the two leaders agreed to a partial ceasefire targeting energy infrastructure—a critical lifeline for both nations. Zelenskyy echoed this sentiment on X, writing, “One of the first steps toward fully ending the war could be ending strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure. I supported this step, and Ukraine confirmed that we are ready to implement it.”
The plan isn’t a full truce. Putin rejected Trump’s initial proposal for a 30-day ceasefire across the board, instead agreeing only to a 30-day pause on attacks targeting Ukraine’s energy systems. Still, this limited deal could ease the suffering of Ukrainian civilians, who have endured brutal winters with power outages caused by Russian strikes. Trump even floated an ambitious idea: American ownership of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants and electrical grid, arguing it would protect them from Russian aggression while leveraging U.S. expertise.
A Night of Drones and Doubt
But just hours after Putin’s pledge, the skies told a different story. Russia launched around 120 drones and six missiles at Ukraine overnight, hitting energy facilities and civilian targets, including a hospital in Sumy. Ukrainian Railways reported damage to its power system in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Meanwhile, Russia accused Ukraine of striking an oil depot in Krasnodar with drones, sparking a fire. Both sides claimed the other was sabotaging the fragile ceasefire before it could even begin.
Zelenskyy didn’t mince words. “Putin’s words are very, very different from reality,” he said at a news conference, pointing out the irony of Russia’s attacks coming right after Putin’s supposed commitment. On X, he added, “It is precisely such night attacks by Russia that destroy our energy, our infrastructure, the normal life of Ukrainians.” Ukrainian soldiers near the front lines, like Sergeant Ivan Kravchenko of the 92nd Assault Brigade, share his skepticism. “Russia wants to play its game,” Kravchenko told NBC News. “They are interested in the truce only to increase their military power.”
What’s on the Table?
Despite the chaos, there’s movement behind the scenes. Zelenskyy and Trump have tasked their teams with hammering out the details of the partial ceasefire, with a meeting set for the coming days in Saudi Arabia. The White House says Trump promised to help Zelenskyy secure more air defense systems, like Patriot missiles, possibly from Europe, to shield civilians from Russian attacks. The leaders also discussed the war-torn Kursk region, agreeing to keep their defense teams in close contact as the battlefield shifts.
On the Russian side, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov insisted Putin is open to a “long-term solution” but doubled down on Moscow’s demands: Ukraine must cede occupied territories, abandon NATO ambitions, and demilitarize—terms Kyiv has repeatedly rejected. Meanwhile, a prisoner swap went ahead on March 19, with each side releasing 175 captives, a rare sign of cooperation amid the tension.
Trump’s Role: Peacemaker or Power Player?
Trump has cast himself as a central figure in this unfolding drama, briefing Zelenskyy on his talks with Putin and touting U.S. leadership. His administration rejected Kremlin calls to cut off intelligence and weapons to Ukraine, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dodging questions about sanctions or past mineral deals. Trump’s suggestion of American control over Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has raised eyebrows, blending peacekeeping with strategic gain. Zelenskyy, for his part, has expressed gratitude for Trump’s support, a shift from their rocky Oval Office clash last month when Trump criticized him for not showing enough thanks.
Can Peace Hold?
For Ukrainians, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The war has shattered lives, leveled cities, and displaced millions. A partial ceasefire could offer a desperately needed breather, but trust is in short supply. Zelenskyy insists that any deal must lead to “sustainable and just peace,” not a frozen conflict that lets Russia regroup. He’s called for more Western sanctions and weapons, arguing that only pressure will force Putin to the table for real.
As drones buzz and diplomats scramble, the world watches. Will this partial ceasefire collapse under the weight of broken promises, or could it be the first crack of light in a long, dark war? For now, the answer hangs in the smoky air over Kyiv and Kursk, where hope and skepticism collide.
