Ukraine’s Zelenskyy accuses Russia of violating Trump’s ‘energy ceasefire’ | Russia-Ukraine war News
Ukraine Accuses Russia of Violating ‘Energy Ceasefire’ Announced by Trump
WARSAW, Poland — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of breaching a recently announced “energy ceasefire” declared by U.S. President Donald Trump. Zelenskyy warned of potential responses if the attacks continue.
In a virtual address at the Warsaw Security Forum on Monday, Zelenskyy called on the United States to intervene and ensure compliance from Moscow, noting there have already been violations of the ceasefire agreement.
“We are waiting for details regarding the conditions between the Americans and Russians, and we are eager to see what specific steps the Americans are willing to take,” Zelenskyy stated, expressing surprise at the announcement of the ceasefire.
The Ukrainian leader emphasized the importance of the ceasefire, stating, “This energy ceasefire can work and may serve as a significant step toward ending the war if the Americans truly intervene to ensure the Russians respect it. If Russia does not agree to an energy ceasefire, we will respond.”
Trump’s announcement on Sunday, which followed a temporary easing of U.S. sanctions on Russian diesel, sparked confusion and criticism. European allies and Ukrainian officials expressed concern that this move would only empower Russian President Vladimir Putin.
For months, both Ukraine and Russia have launched attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure, contributing to rising global energy prices, which have already been affected by the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran.
Initially, Zelenskyy claimed he had no prior knowledge of the ceasefire agreement, describing it as “news to him,” according to Axios. Trump has previously used his Truth Social platform to announce ceasefires or arrangements before they are confirmed by either party.
“An energy ceasefire and other measures to reduce escalation and ensure security are critically necessary in reality, not just on Truth Social,” Zelenskyy added.
European leaders have expressed cautious optimism about the ceasefire but have echoed Zelenskyy’s concerns regarding its lack of implementation. French President Emmanuel Macron noted, “I have not noted, over the last 48 hours, any energy ceasefire coming from the Russian side.”
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk declared that “Russia is not interested in a ceasefire, de-escalation, or peace,” emphasizing his intention to advocate for increased sanctions against Russia at an upcoming European Union meeting.
In a separate development, the European Union announced the introduction of nearly 1,600 new sanctions targeting Russia’s military industrial complex, as part of ongoing efforts to pressure Moscow amid the conflict. The new sanctions affect individuals and entities involved in the war that has persisted for over four years.
“This is the single largest expansion of our sanctions list since Russia began its war,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated. “Europe is once again demonstrating a united front,” she added.
On the ground in Ukraine, Russian forces reportedly targeted gas production facilities owned by the state oil and gas company Naftogaz in the Kharkiv region overnight, resulting in a fire. Naftogaz acting CEO Sergii Fedorenko confirmed damage to critical equipment and assured that efforts to repair the damage were underway.
A day earlier, Zelenskyy indicated that Ukraine was open to suspending attacks on Russian oil refineries if Moscow halted its own assaults on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
