'Putin is bluffing': Pause on energy infrastructure attacks not key issue, Ukrainians say

Record ID: 1984720

  • Title: 'Putin is bluffing': Pause on energy infrastructure attacks not key issue, Ukrainians say
  • Date: 19th March 2025
  • Summary: KYIV, UKRAINE (MARCH 19, 2025) (REUTERS) PEOPLE WALKING ON STREET BUILDING IN DISTANCE PEOPLE WALKING VARIOUS OF PEOPLE COMING OUT OF METRO STATION UKRAINIAN FLAGS ON BUILDING (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) OFFICE CLERK, YULIA POROVSKA, 46, SAYING: "I would like it to happen (freeze of strikes on energy infrastructure), but Russia is not only hitting the energy infrastructure, bu
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Donald Trump Vladimir Putin Volodymyr Zelenskiy ceasefire energy infrastructure peace talks
  • Location: KYIV, UKRAINE
  • City: KYIV, UKRAINE
  • Country: Ukraine
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Europe,Military Conflicts
  • Reuters ID: LVA001995719032025RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Ukrainians in Kyiv said the prospect of a freeze energy infrastructure strikes in Ukraine and Russia on Wednesday (March 19) was not a central matter in reaching a ceasefire deal, with some arguing it would be ceding leverage to Russia.
    Residents also said they thought U.S. President Trump was too lenient on Russian President Putin, who "is bluffing."
    "Of course he's bluffing, because I believe that he aims to really conquer everything, he's a real aggressor," said 56-year-old Vyacheslav Davydenko.
    "It seems like (Trump is) joking around with (Putin)," 27-year-old Maryna Mamedova said. "I think that he was lenient and that he needs to be a little tougher."
    In their call on Tuesday (March 18), Putin declined to endorse a full 30-day ceasefire sought by Trump and previously accepted by Ukraine. Putin said he would agree to a limited pause in attacks on energy infrastructure, which was then accepted by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
    Russia and Ukraine accused each other on Wednesday of launching air attacks that struck civilian targets including infrastructure, just hours after President Putin told President Trump he would pause attacks on Ukraine's energy system.
    (Production: Manuel Ausloos, Taras Garanich)
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