Exclusive: Trump's push for a Ukraine energy truce runs into a Putin problem

U.S. President Donald Trump privately questions Russian President Vladimir Putin's willingness to agree to an energy ceasefire with Ukraine before winter, according to people familiar with the matter. This doubt arises as Washington urges both Kyiv and Moscow to cease attacks on each other's energy infrastructure, a crucial issue in recent peace talks.

Trump has publicly urged Ukraine to stop targeting Russian energy facilities, while Moscow has not yet signaled readiness to accept a reciprocal pause. President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed support for an energy ceasefire, but Russia views it as a "good idea" without publicly indicating acceptance. Trump's doubts contrast with his team's more optimistic assessment, which suggests the possibility of an energy ceasefire.

His son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff returned from a recent trip to Russia with the impression that an energy ceasefire was feasible, though Trump himself is less confident than his team. Despite this, the White House maintains that Trump remains optimistic about securing a peace deal, though it does not address his doubts about an energy truce.

The United States continues to play a constructive role in facilitating talks between the two sides to end the conflict.