Multiple power plants in Ukraine were struck by Russia hours after US President Donald Trump claimed an ‘energy ceasefire’ between the two countries.
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A power plant in Kyiv was hit by a drone, leading to power outages in the capital, followed by strikes on Kharkiv’s energy infrastructure.
Earlier, Donald Trump said that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to halt strikes on each other’s energy infrastructure.
“Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!” he wrote on his Truth Social network, without giving further details.
At the time, Zelenskyy said he wasn’t informed of the energy ceasefire. “It was news for me. But if Russians agree to an energy ceasefire, Ukraine will agree”, Zelenskyy told Axios.
Kyiv’s allies were “awaiting details” of a ceasefire on energy targets US President Donald Trump had announced. Russia hasn’t confirmed any agreement.
‘Awaiting details’ on ceasefire
“Ukraine supports the ceasefire, and it is important that Russia support it as well”, Zelensky said on his Facebook page before Russia’s strikes on Ukrainian power plants.
“We are awaiting details from the American side. For our part, Ukraine always FULLY supports steps toward de-escalation, the protection of lives, and the decisions needed to end the war and guarantee lasting peace”, he said.
Emmanuel Macron said France supported a “real energy ceasefire” between Ukraine and Russia as diesel prices are at €2.25/L.
“Currently, Russia continues to refuse that, by lately intensifying further its strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure”, Macron said, adding: “France will continue to stay by the side of Ukraine and President Zelensky”.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen also voiced backing for Ukraine’s President, saying she “fully supported the call of President Zelenskyy for a ceasefire that would protect global food supplies and energy infrastructure in Ukraine and Russia”.
Canadian PM Mark Carney was more critical of this agreement, saying it undermined efforts for stability in Europe and could “provide additional revenue for Russia and help finance its illegal, unjustifiable war against Ukraine”.
There was no immediate confirmation from Russia of an agreement, which follows an escalation in deadly attacks in the war. Its only response was strikes on Ukrainian power plants.
“If President Trump negotiated it with Putin, please tell us when the ceasefire begins. We are ready, and we will accept it”, Zelenskyy told Axios.
Trump suggests Ukraine should have a ‘new leader’
Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s people would decide whether they want a new leader for the country in response to Trump’s call for Ukraine to pick a new leader.
“First of all, with all respect to President Trump, it’s up to our society, up to our people to choose one or another leader”, Zelenskyy told ABC News in a televised interview, a day after Trump said Ukraine needed a new president who would agree to end the war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday his country could hold elections if Russia agreed to a 60-day total ceasefire.
Zelensky’s comment came amid a spat between Trump and the Ukrainian leader, who had denounced a US move to temporarily ease sanctions on Russian diesel.
“Don’t attack us. Don’t kill our children. We will stop attacking your diesel. And I think it’s a fair deal”, Zelenskyy said in a TV interview with ABC.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha pushed back on Trump’s comments, writing on X late Saturday that Zelenskyy was leading the country through a war for its independence. “He has the support of the Ukrainian people, and they have the right to decide. Statements from abroad only confirm that he is doing his job well”, Sybiha wrote.
The US president, who on Friday struck a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to buy diesel from Russia in an attempt to address high fuel prices ahead of the US midterm elections, has been urging Zelenskyy for weeks to stop strikes on Russian energy infrastructure.
He has sought to blame record US diesel prices on Ukraine rather than the US-led war in Iran, which has driven up world energy prices. Ukrainian and European officials reacted to the diesel deal with dismay, saying it will help pay for Russia’s war effort.
