Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed support for US President Donald Trump’s proposed energy ceasefire with Russia but accused Moscow of continuing attacks on Ukrainian power facilities after Washington announced that an agreement had taken immediate effect.
Trump claimed on Sunday that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to stop attacking each other’s energy infrastructure, describing the arrangement as effective immediately. He provided no details of the agreement, while Moscow has yet to publicly confirm its participation.
Zelensky initially said the announcement was news to him before clarifying that Ukraine was prepared to suspend strikes on Russian energy infrastructure if Moscow made the same commitment.
“Ukraine is ready not to strike at Russian energy and we count on Russia’s similar readiness and on the agreement of the president of the United States of America on this,” Zelensky wrote on social media.
He added that Ukrainian officials were awaiting further information from Washington about its discussions with Russia.
The Ukrainian president subsequently accused Russian forces of striking a power plant in Kyiv with a drone, causing electricity outages, before carrying out further attacks on energy facilities in the north-eastern Kharkiv region.
“All of this happened after the president of the United States made his statement about an energy ceasefire.”
The White House has been approached for clarification on the terms of the proposed agreement.
Trump has been pressing Ukraine to halt attacks on Russian oil infrastructure following a recent agreement allowing Moscow to release diesel to the United States and international markets.
The arrangement temporarily relaxes restrictions on Russian energy imports and forms part of Trump’s efforts to reduce domestic fuel prices ahead of the US midterm elections.
Fuel costs have risen sharply during the war with Iran, particularly diesel prices, adding to inflationary pressures and increasing political pressure on the US administration.
Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Russian refineries, arguing that reducing Moscow’s energy revenue is essential to limiting its ability to finance the war.
Zelensky has criticised the diesel agreement, describing it as a gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The deal has also drawn opposition from European officials and politicians in both major US parties.
UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said Britain did not support the arrangement, while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also criticised it.
Seven US senators, including four Republicans and three Democrats, issued a joint statement arguing that the agreement contradicted legislation explicitly prohibiting Russian energy imports. “Congress was clear: the US should not import oil from Russia until it ends its aggression against Ukraine and ceases threats against our Nato Allies.”
They called on the Trump administration to reverse its decision.
Republican Senator Thom Tillis, one of the seven signatories, also warned that the arrangement could endanger American lives.
Despite criticism of the diesel agreement, international leaders expressed support for the proposed energy ceasefire.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Britain strongly supported Trump’s call for a sustained halt to attacks on energy infrastructure, while France, Canada and the European Union also welcomed the proposal.
The ceasefire announcement followed fresh criticism of Zelensky by Trump, who accused the Ukrainian leader on Saturday of creating problems by continuing to authorise strikes against Russian oil refineries.
Trump also suggested that it was time for Ukraine to have a new president.
Zelensky responded by saying he was prepared to hold elections if Russia agreed to a comprehensive 60-day ceasefire.
Ukraine has suspended national elections under wartime constitutional provisions, with Zelensky previously arguing that conducting a vote would be difficult while parts of the country remain active war zones or under Russian occupation.
Trump has repeatedly accused the Ukrainian president of using the war to remain in office.
Russia and Ukraine have exchanged attacks on energy infrastructure for months, disrupting electricity and fuel supplies on both sides.
Moscow maintains that the Ukrainian installations it targets support military operations and are therefore legitimate targets.
Kyiv argues that its strikes on Russian energy facilities are intended to weaken Moscow’s ability to finance its invasion.
Fighting also continued on Sunday, with regional officials reporting six deaths following attacks on two Ukrainian cities.
Russian officials reported that one person was killed in the Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine, while another man died in a drone attack in Russian-occupied Donetsk.
The continuing violence has raised questions about the implementation of Trump’s proposed energy ceasefire, particularly as Russia has yet to publicly confirm the agreement.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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