A small but important step on road that could lead to the negotiation table

The recent 90-minute telephone conversation between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, described by Trump as "a great call", has upheld the cautious optimism that has emerged that an ending to the protracted Russia-Ukraine conflict may be finally forthcoming.

Despite the outcome of the talks falling short of achieving a broader 30-day ceasefire as hoped for, the talks still yielded a limited agreement — a pause in the two sides' military strikes against each other's energy facilities. This outcome, though modest, is a reminder that there is no quick-fix for the conflict, and patience, persistence and a collective commitment to peace are needed to get the two sides to lay down their arms.

The roots of the conflict are complicated and deeply entrenched, stemming from historical, geopolitical, and security complexities. As a Chinese proverb aptly states, it takes more than one cold day to freeze three feet of ice; similarly, ice that thick will not melt overnight.