Ukraine sees fresh strikes after Putin's call with Trump, Zelenskyy shares photo

Ukraine has accused Russia of rejecting a US-backed ceasefire proposal, citing renewed strikes on civilian infrastructure just hours after Putin's phone call with Trump.

In Short

• Ukraine accuses Russia of rejecting US-backed ceasefire
• Prisoner exchange of 175 each agreed between Russia and Ukraine
• Putin agrees to pause energy attacks, not full truce

Ukraine on Wednesday accused Russia of effectively rejecting a US-backed ceasefire proposal, citing a series of strikes on civilian infrastructure just hours after Moscow agreed only to pause attacks on the energy grid.

Washington has been pushing for a full, 30-day ceasefire as a first step towards a broader settlement in the three-year-old war. However, in a 90-minute call with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin refused, insisting that any such deal would be contingent on the West halting all military aid to Ukraine.

According to the Kremlin, Putin has already ordered his military to pause strikes against Ukrainian energy targets for 30 days.

The highly anticipated Putin-Trump call also led to an agreement for Russia and Ukraine to exchange 175 prisoners each on Wednesday. While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the proposed energy truce, he stated that he needed more "details" from Washington.

US envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed that ceasefire talks would resume on Sunday in Jeddah, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz leading the American delegation.

Moscow has carried out devastating attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure throughout the war, while Ukraine has used drones to target multiple Russian oil installations.

Explosions and air raid sirens were reported across Ukraine just hours after the Trump-Putin call. Zelensky stated, "There have been hits, specifically on civilian infrastructure," including a hospital in Sumy.

"It is these types of nighttime attacks by Russia that destroy our energy sector, our infrastructure, and the normal life of Ukrainians," Zelensky said.

"Today, Putin effectively rejected the proposal for a full ceasefire."

Across the border, Russian emergency services reported that debris from a repelled Ukrainian drone attack ignited a fire at an oil depot in the village of Kavkazskaya.

In Kyiv, many Ukrainians expressed scepticism about any ceasefire prospects. "I don't believe Putin at all, not a single word. He only understands force," said Lev Sholoudko, 32.

Trump, who claims to have an "understanding" with Putin, has been seeking a breakthrough in the Ukraine war since returning to the White House in January. His announcement of direct talks with Russia to end the conflict sparked concerns amongst allies that he was pivoting too far towards Moscow.

The US president hailed his latest call with Putin as "good and productive," while the White House said in a readout that the Russian leader had consented to a 30-day ceasefire on energy infrastructure. However, Moscow reiterated that a broader truce would depend on a "complete cessation" of Western military and intelligence support to Ukraine’s armed forces.

A Kremlin statement also emphasised that Kyiv could not rearm or mobilise during any ceasefire.

Zelensky, who accepted a full ceasefire proposal during talks in Saudi Arabia last week, condemned Russia for its reluctance to reach an agreement. "They are not ready to end this war, and we can see that."

He also stated that Ukrainian troops would continue fighting in Russia’s Kursk region "as long as we need," following days of major Russian advances in the area, which Kyiv partially seized last year. Russia said on Tuesday that Ukrainian forces attempted a ground assault on the Belgorod region but were pushed back, portraying the attack as an effort to undermine Trump’s negotiations.

Trump has been determined to fulfil his election pledge to end the war in Ukraine, blaming his predecessor Joe Biden’s Russia policy for escalating the conflict. His approach has sharply diverged from past US policy, which staunchly backed Ukrainemost notably demonstrated in his televised confrontation with Zelensky in the Oval Office.

Western allies remain sceptical of Putin’s willingness to agree to a genuine ceasefire. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed after the Kremlin’s statement that they would continue military aid to Ukraine.

"Ukraine can count on us," Scholz said.

As the talks continued, Ukrainian soldiers on the front line also remained doubtful.

"How can you trust people who attack you and kill civilians, including children?" said Oleksandr, 35, who has returned to military training in the Donetsk region after being wounded in combat.