(MENAFN) The Kremlin has announced a temporary truce, brokered by the United States, that halts long-range strikes on key energy infrastructure in Russia and Ukraine. The agreement, which took effect on March 18, will last for 30 days and covers oil and gas facilities, power plants, pipelines, hydroelectric dams, and nuclear sites.

Moscow indicated that the ceasefire could be extended if both sides agree but warned that any violation would nullify the agreement. The initiative was proposed by former US President Donald Trump in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week, prompting Russia to immediately suspend attacks on Ukrainian energy targets. However, the Russian military reported having to intercept seven drones already en route to their targets to comply with the ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly supported the truce, but Russia soon accused Kiev of breaking the agreement by launching drone attacks on Russian energy sites. On Monday, the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) condemned a Ukrainian strike on the Kropotkinskaya oil pumping station in Russia’s Krasnodar Region. The CPC, which operates a crucial pipeline network supplying crude oil from Kazakhstan and Russia to global markets, warned that such attacks could harm its financial stability and impact shareholders, including US energy giants Chevron and ExxonMobil.

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