Zelensky Surprised by Trump’s Claim of Russia-Ukraine Energy Ceasefire

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has claimed that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to an immediate ceasefire in the energy sector, although he did not disclose its terms or details. In a social media post, Trump said both parties had agreed and warned them not to break it.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky initially said he learned of the announcement through the media and was surprised by it. He later said Ukraine would support the ceasefire if Russia also stopped attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
Trump has urged Ukraine to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries, saying this would allow Moscow to comply with a recently reached agreement to supply diesel to the US and global markets. Ukraine, however, maintains that such strikes are necessary to reduce Russia’s war revenue.
On Friday, Trump claimed he had struck a diesel-supply deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin under which Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel, followed by 500,000 tonnes in November and a further four million tonnes later. The deal includes a temporary easing of sanctions on Russian fuel imports and has drawn criticism in Europe and the US.
Zelensky accused Russia of continuing attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities despite Trump’s announcement, saying Moscow struck six energy sites on Monday alone. He said Ukraine was ready to refrain from attacks on Russian energy infrastructure and hoped Russia would do the same.
Russia has not confirmed or clearly endorsed the proposed energy ceasefire. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said only that “contacts are ongoing.”