Kyiv: Differences appear to be emerging between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over a proposed energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, after Zelenskyy said Trump’s announcement that both sides had agreed to the arrangement came as news to him.
Zelenskyy, however, said Ukraine was ready to agree to an energy ceasefire if Russia also committed to it. He added that Kyiv was still awaiting details of the proposal and would consider the development positive if it became a reality.
“The announcement was news for me. But if Russians agree to an energy ceasefire, Ukraine will agree,” Zelenskyy told Axios.
Later, the Ukrainian president said the proposal could be “good news for everyone” if it was implemented. He stressed that Ukraine was waiting for clear details about the discussions between the United States and Russia.
Zelenskyy Says Russian Strikes Continue to Target Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure
Zelenskyy said Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure were continuing, including strikes involving Shahed drones. He claimed that a power plant in Kharkiv was also hit on Sunday evening.
According to Zelenskyy, Russia carried out around 200 strikes against Ukraine’s electricity generation and transmission facilities over the preceding week. He also reported 17 attacks on gas and oil facilities.
The Ukrainian president said the strikes had left more than 150 people dead and over 700 injured.
In a post on X, Zelenskyy said Ukraine had proposed several measures to reduce tensions but claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin had rejected them.
“Ukraine has proposed many de-escalatory steps. Putin had one answer to all of them – ‘nyet.’ We do hope that he will finally say something to America, Ukraine, and the entire world that will lead to a real and dignified peace,” Zelenskyy wrote.
He reiterated that Ukraine wanted peace and questioned whether Russia was equally committed to achieving it.
“Ukraine wants peace. The question is whether Russia does. The Armed Forces of Ukraine have received all the appropriate orders. We are awaiting clear details of the dialogue between America and Russia – and we expect Putin to follow through on what President Trump said,” he added.
Trump Announces Immediate Energy Ceasefire Between Russia and Ukraine
Zelenskyy’s remarks came after Trump announced an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, claiming that both sides had agreed to the arrangement and that it would take effect immediately.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it.”
However, Trump did not provide further details about the proposed arrangement. Zelenskyy’s response indicated that Kyiv was still awaiting clarification, despite the US president’s statement that both parties had agreed.
The Ukrainian president said his country was prepared to participate in an energy ceasefire if Russia agreed to the same terms. He also expressed hope that the discussions between Washington and Moscow would lead to concrete steps towards peace.
Trump Questions Zelenskyy’s Leadership Amid Growing Differences
The latest exchange comes amid broader differences between Trump and Zelenskyy over how to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
Trump has said Ukraine needs a new president and suggested that Zelenskyy has not done enough to secure a deal to end the conflict. He has also blamed the Ukrainian leader for contributing to problems affecting diesel prices in the United States.
“I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal because he could have made many deals and for some reason he never does,” Trump said.
“He wants to make problems for the world. He wants to make problems for our farmers, our ranchers, with diesel fuel,” he added.
Trump’s remarks came after he struck a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to buy diesel from Russia in an effort to address high fuel prices ahead of the US midterm elections.
The developments highlight the diplomatic differences surrounding efforts to end the war, even as Washington signals a possible agreement to stop attacks on energy infrastructure.
For now, Ukraine says it is ready for an energy ceasefire but is waiting for clear details of the proposal and expects Russia to follow through on Trump’s announcement. Whether the arrangement will translate into an actual halt to attacks remains unclear.