Newsletters
U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an “energy ceasefire” taking effect immediately, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the announcement “was news for me,” and there was no confirmation from Kyiv or Moscow.
Trump made the announcement in a post on his Truth Social platform and did not elaborate. “Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!” he wrote. The post suggested the two sides would halt attacks on each other’s energy facilities. It was unclear whether Russia had actually agreed to stop its strikes.
Zelenskyy told the news outlet Axios in a short interview after the announcement that it was news to him. He said Ukraine would nonetheless go along with such an arrangement if Moscow did too.
“If President Trump negotiated it with Putin, please tell us when the ceasefire begins,” Zelenskyy said. “We are ready, and we will accept it.”
Speaking Sunday on ABC’s “This Week,” Zelenskyy said Ukraine was prepared to stop attacking Russian oil refineries if Moscow halted strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. He added that Ukraine would hold elections if Russia agreed to a 60-day ceasefire. “It’s more difficult to stop Putin than to pressure others,” he said.
Trump made a similar announcement last month, but neither Russia nor Ukraine confirmed a deal at the time, and both continued attacking each other’s energy infrastructure.
An energy ceasefire would be a significant diplomatic step heading into winter, when attacks on power generation and fuel supplies carry heavier consequences for civilians. Energy facilities have been a recurring target on both sides since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The announcement followed several days of rising friction between Trump and Zelenskyy over Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil refineries.
On Friday, Trump announced a deal to ease sanctions on Russian diesel exports in an effort to bring down rising fuel prices, a move that angered Ukraine. On Saturday, he called for Ukraine to replace Zelenskyy, accusing him of refusing opportunities to end the war.
The war with Iran has pushed up global fuel prices, increasing pressure on Trump to deliver relief to American consumers.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
3 min read
