Cabot Phillips

Remember, Moscow has used waves of drones and missiles to target Ukrainian energy plants and refineries, knocking out power across the country and cutting electricity production in half. Likewise, for their part, Ukrainians have had success striking Russian oil refineries, threatening one of their top industries. So both sides benefit from the agreement.

Remember, Moscow has used waves of drones and missiles to target Ukrainian energy plants and refineries, knocking out power across the country and cutting electricity production in half. Likewise, for their part, Ukrainians have had success striking Russian oil refineries, threatening one of their top industries. So both sides benefit from the agreement.

Now, there had been some optimism that Putin would be willing to sign off on a broader total ceasefire Tuesday. That obviously did not happen, but... It is undoubtedly a major step in the right direction, and the White House says that it's just the start. Right, just the first step. What comes next?

Now, there had been some optimism that Putin would be willing to sign off on a broader total ceasefire Tuesday. That obviously did not happen, but... It is undoubtedly a major step in the right direction, and the White House says that it's just the start. Right, just the first step. What comes next?

Well, the Trump administration was insistent that yesterday's agreement was phase one of a broader, quote, which will begin immediately with further formal negotiations taking place in the Middle East. Up next, the two sides will work on a broader maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, followed by a full ceasefire across both countries. From there, quote, permanent peace will be the goal.

Well, the Trump administration was insistent that yesterday's agreement was phase one of a broader, quote, which will begin immediately with further formal negotiations taking place in the Middle East. Up next, the two sides will work on a broader maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, followed by a full ceasefire across both countries. From there, quote, permanent peace will be the goal.

In the meantime, as further signs of progress, the Kremlin announced that they would conduct a prisoner swap with Ukrainians later today, with 175 prisoners being released from each side.

In the meantime, as further signs of progress, the Kremlin announced that they would conduct a prisoner swap with Ukrainians later today, with 175 prisoners being released from each side.

Trump, ever the businessman, relied on economic incentives to try and bring Putin to the table, essentially reminding him that a peace deal would allow Russia to reenter the global economy and shake off those crippling sanctions. But again, there is still a lot of work to be done to get Putin to sign off. Yeah, and what is that? What exactly is Putin looking for?

Trump, ever the businessman, relied on economic incentives to try and bring Putin to the table, essentially reminding him that a peace deal would allow Russia to reenter the global economy and shake off those crippling sanctions. But again, there is still a lot of work to be done to get Putin to sign off. Yeah, and what is that? What exactly is Putin looking for?

So the big sticking point for Russia is continued military support for Ukraine. Putin praised Trump for his, quote, noble goal of peace, but did make clear Tuesday that if he's going to agree to a ceasefire, Europe and the U.S. must agree to an immediate halt on weapon shipments and intelligence sharing with Ukrainians. Now, the Ukrainians have expressed opposition to those demands.

So the big sticking point for Russia is continued military support for Ukraine. Putin praised Trump for his, quote, noble goal of peace, but did make clear Tuesday that if he's going to agree to a ceasefire, Europe and the U.S. must agree to an immediate halt on weapon shipments and intelligence sharing with Ukrainians. Now, the Ukrainians have expressed opposition to those demands.

They fear that the Russians could use that pause in weapon shipments to counterattack. reorganize and rearm and ultimately then break the ceasefire when the Ukrainians are at their most vulnerable. But more broadly, Ukrainian President Zelensky did express support, albeit cautious support for Tuesday's agreement.

They fear that the Russians could use that pause in weapon shipments to counterattack. reorganize and rearm and ultimately then break the ceasefire when the Ukrainians are at their most vulnerable. But more broadly, Ukrainian President Zelensky did express support, albeit cautious support for Tuesday's agreement.

He also confirmed that his country would agree to the terms and would halt strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. So definite steps in the right direction.

He also confirmed that his country would agree to the terms and would halt strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. So definite steps in the right direction.

Yeah, this conflict going in the opposite direction. On Tuesday, Israel launched a series of airstrikes in Gaza, killing hundreds of Palestinians. Hamas says the victims were mostly civilians, including children. Israel says they targeted terrorists. After the strike, Prime Minister Netanyahu announced that it was, quote,

Yeah, this conflict going in the opposite direction. On Tuesday, Israel launched a series of airstrikes in Gaza, killing hundreds of Palestinians. Hamas says the victims were mostly civilians, including children. Israel says they targeted terrorists. After the strike, Prime Minister Netanyahu announced that it was, quote,

and his country would continue pushing forward until Hamas has been destroyed and all of the hostages brought home. Netanyahu says that not only has Hamas failed to abide by the terms of the ceasefire, but that Israeli intelligence had proof they were regrouping and preparing new attacks on his nation. For more on the situation, we spoke with Michael Oren, the former Israeli ambassador to the U.S.

and his country would continue pushing forward until Hamas has been destroyed and all of the hostages brought home. Netanyahu says that not only has Hamas failed to abide by the terms of the ceasefire, but that Israeli intelligence had proof they were regrouping and preparing new attacks on his nation. For more on the situation, we spoke with Michael Oren, the former Israeli ambassador to the U.S.