Zelenskyy expresses 'skepticism' after Trump-Putin call, says partial ceasefire would be 'positive' | NEWS

Zelenskyy expresses 'skepticism' after Trump-Putin call, says partial ceasefire would be 'positive'

Trump said his call with the Russia's leader was "very good and productive."

President Donald Trump held a high-stakes call with Vladimir Putin on Tuesday as the U.S. seeks a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
A White House readout of the call said Putin supports Trump's idea for a mutual pause on energy infrastructure attacks -- but did not include a commitment to the 30-day truce accepted by Ukraine last week despite Trump's optimism in recent days that Moscow would go along.

"Both leaders agreed this conflict needs to end with a lasting peace," the White House said of the Trump-Putin call. "They also stressed the need for improved bilateral relations between theUnited Statesand Russia. The blood and treasure that both Ukraine and Russia have been spending in this war would be better spent on the needs of their people."

"This conflict should never have started and should have been ended long ago with sincere and good faith peace efforts," the White House added. "The leaders agreed that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace. These negotiations will begin immediately in the Middle East."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a news conference following Tuesday's developments, said he had "skepticism" but that "if there is a partial ceasefire, this is a positive result."