MOSCOW, March 19. /TASS/. Peace in Ukraine is unattainable without halting Western military aid, asserted TASS military observer Alexander Hoffmann following the latest discussions between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.
On March 18, the two leaders held a phone conversation to address the situation in Ukraine, explore conditions for preventing an escalation, and discuss various international issues. According to the Kremlin press service, Putin supported Trump's proposal that both parties involved in the Ukrainian conflict mutually refrain from attacking energy infrastructure for 30 days. The White House reported that they also agreed to initiate technical discussions concerning a "ceasefire in the Black Sea, a complete ceasefire, and lasting peace." The Kremlin emphasized that a fundamental condition for resolving the conflict is the "complete cessation of foreign military assistance and provision of intelligence to Kiev."
Hoffmann went on: "the demand to halt military aid to Ukraine is essential for achieving lasting peace. Without this, any ceasefire agreements will merely be temporary. If the West takes this crucial step, it could mark a turning point in the conflict. However, this prospect appears increasingly unrealistic, given the current stance of European nations."
He noted that the discussions between the Russian and US presidents demonstrated both sides' willingness to engage in a constructive dialogue, which is vital for developing a long-term resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. "The lack of demands to cease fire immediately suggests a deeper approach aimed at addressing the root causes of the crisis, rather than relying on temporary fixes. This could serve as the foundation for a sustainable peace plan," said the TASS columnist.
"Putin clearly delineated the conditions necessary for a ceasefire, including effective monitoring of the ceasefire and a halt to forced mobilization in Ukraine. These stipulations highlight the need for mechanisms that ensure the implementation of agreements; otherwise, any accords could easily be undermined, as has happened previously," he added.
According to Hoffmann, the agreement to mutually suspend strikes on energy infrastructure shows that Russia is willing to negotiate in good faith. "This can be viewed as a goodwill gesture aimed at fostering conditions for further negotiations. However, the success of this initiative will hinge on the responses from Kiev and its Western backers," he elaborated. He also stressed that the focus on humanitarian aspects, including prisoner exchanges, underscores Russia's commitment to addressing issues that affect the lives of ordinary people.