In a significant but limited diplomatic breakthrough, Russian President VladimirPutinagreed on Tuesday to temporarily halt attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities, stopping short of endorsing the full 30-day ceasefire proposed by US President Donald Trumpas a step toward lasting peace. Ukraine has backed the scaled-back agreement, which calls for a month-long pause in targeting each other’s energy infrastructure, though experts suggest Putin’s move may be a tactical delay as Russian forces continue to advance in eastern Ukraine. Following a lengthy call between Trump and Putin, the White House announced that broader peace talks would begin immediately, focusing on a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and laying the groundwork for a comprehensive peace deal. The Kremlin confirmed that Putin ordered Russian forces to cease attacks on energy sites after his conversation with Trump, marking a tentative step toward de-escalation.DataUS single-family homebuilding rebounded strongly in February, with starts surging 11.4% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.108 million units, according to the Commerce Department’s Census Bureau. However, the recovery faces headwinds as rising raw material prices, driven by tariffs, threaten to undermine the housing market and broader manufacturing sector. On a year-over-year basis, housing starts fell 2.3%, highlighting lingering challenges despite the monthly uptick.
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