Trump claims Russia-Ukraine 'energy ceasefire'; Kyiv backs it, Moscow silent
US President Donald Trump says Russia and Ukraine have agreed to an 'energy ceasefire' but has given no details. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Kyiv would support it if Moscow does too, while Russia has not commented.
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an "energy ceasefire", describing it as "effective immediately" without offering any details. Ukraine, now in the fourth year of Russia's full-scale invasion, says it would back such a step if Moscow does likewise. Russia has not yet commented.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky first expressed surprise, telling the news site Axios that the truce was "news" to him. He later wrote on social media that his officials were waiting for clear details of Washington's dialogue with Russia. He said Ukraine was ready not to strike Russian energy targets and counted on similar readiness from Russia. Zelensky then said Russia had hit a Kyiv power plant with a drone, causing power cuts, and struck energy facilities in the north-eastern Kharkiv region, all after Trump's statement.
The BBC has asked the White House for more information. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Britain strongly supported a sustained energy ceasefire, and France, Canada and the EU also voiced support.
Dispute over the diesel deal
Trump has been pressing Ukraine to stop attacking Russian oil infrastructure so that Russia can deliver on a recently agreed deal to release diesel to the US and global markets. The arrangement temporarily eases sanctions on Russian imports and is drawing growing criticism. Zelensky called it a gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and European officials and some US politicians, including Republicans, have said they do not back it. Seven senators, three Democrats and four Republicans, said in a statement that it runs counter to a law banning Russian energy imports and urged the administration to reverse course.
The deal is part of Trump's effort to lower fuel prices before the US midterm elections; prices have risen because of the war with Iran.
On Saturday Trump accused Zelensky of wanting to "make problems for the world" and suggested Ukraine needed a new president. Zelensky has pledged to hold elections if Russia agrees to a 60-day total ceasefire.
Fighting continues: officials said six people were killed in attacks on two Ukrainian cities on Sunday, and one person died in Russia's Belgorod region.
