In a significant development, American President Donald Trump stated during a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on March 19, 2025, that U.S. ownership of Ukraine's energy facilities would provide the best protection for the nation's infrastructure. According to White House Press Secretary Karolin Levitt, Trump emphasized that the United States could offer essential expertise in energy management, making American control of these facilities a promising approach to supporting Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
Levitt described the conversation as "fantastic," highlighting the progress both leaders made towards ending the ongoing conflict. She reported that the discussions also covered Ukraine's request for additional air defense systems, particularly the Patriot missile systems. Trump agreed to explore this request, particularly regarding resources available in Europe. Furthermore, the U.S. will continue to provide Ukraine with intelligence of a defensive nature, ensuring robust support during these challenging times.
During the call, Levitt noted that both leaders are committed to working under U.S. leadership to achieve lasting peace. Zelensky later confirmed his support for a proposal aiming to cease fire on energy and civilian infrastructure, describing it as a vital initial step towards complete resolution of the hostilities. He reiterated the necessity for collaboration between Ukraine and the United States to bring about a durable peace.
Details from this breakthrough conversation surfaced after Zelensky proactively engaged Trump regarding the latest developments on the battlefield, including the results of Russian strikes. They also discussed the situation in the Kursk region, addressing issues concerning the liberation of prisoners of war and the return of Ukrainian children, as well as strengthening Ukraine's air defense.
On the eve of this productive discussion, Trump had a nearly two-and-a-half-hour phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, touching on various key concerns such as a potential 30-day ceasefire, maritime security in the Black Sea, and measures to end military aid to Ukraine. The Kremlin announced that Putin supports Trump's initiative to halt attacks on energy infrastructure for 30 days, seeing it as an essential condition for peace.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, tensions escalated following the call between Trump and Zelensky. Reports indicate that on the night following their conversation, Russian forces struck targets in twelve Ukrainian regions utilizing drones. As many as two Ukrainian citizens suffered injuries due to drone debris falling on civilian structures.
In a statement made through social media, Trump expressed optimism regarding the potential for peace, stating, "We are on the right track" in reference to the discussions initiated with both Zelensky and Putin. Zelensky echoed this sentiment, specifically noting the constructive and open nature of his dialogue with Trump. Both leaders acknowledged the position of their nations concerning ongoing military actions, with Zelensky outlining a roadmap for peaceful cooperation moving forward.
Zelensky's recent engagement with Trump marks a continuation of their dialogue, following a challenging exchange in late February where they failed to finalize anticipated agreements on the extraction of rare-earth metals. This time around, both sides highlighted the importance of ceasing hostilities, particularly those impacting civilian structures, as a step towards brokering a comprehensive ceasefire.
American officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, released a statement confirming that technical teams from both nations would meet in Saudi Arabia shortly to discuss further actions conducive to achieving peace. They expressed a consensus to share critical information between their defense sectors to ensure a coordinated approach as the situation evolves.
The ongoing conflict demands persistent diplomatic engagement, as the ramifications of recent military actions highlight the need for stability in the region. Despite accusations exchanged between Ukraine and Russia over drone attacks, Zelensky reaffirmed Ukraine's intention to seek peace actively and work closely with the U.S. to accomplish this goal.
In the midst of these developments, both presidents have shown a willingness to collaborate on solutions to support the future of Ukraine’s energy needs. Trump's remarks about managing Ukraine's nuclear power stations certainly position the U.S. as a key player in safeguarding the energy infrastructure of its European ally.
This recent exchange between the United States and Ukraine represents a pivotal moment in their relations, potentially setting a foundation for more substantive agreements regarding security and infrastructure support in the future.
