President Donald Trump insisted Monday that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to stop attacking each other’s energy infrastructure, even as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Moscow struck at least six Ukrainian energy facilities after Trump announced the truce.
Trump Insists Energy Ceasefire Was Agreed
“Well, they agreed,” Trump told reporters. “Because I said, ‘You agree.’ That’s why they agreed, because I said they agree.” Pressed on the fresh Russian strikes, he added, “Well, I’d have to look at it and see, because there’s been violations on both sides.”
Trump first announced the “energy ceasefire” Sunday, saying it took effect immediately and warning both sides, “Do not break it!” But Moscow did not publicly confirm a deal. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told AP in a statement that “contacts are ongoing,” while Reuters reported that Trump’s announcement was the second in recent weeks to come without confirmation from both warring sides.
Zelenskyy Says Russian Strikes Continued Monday
Zelenskyy said Ukraine had refrained from hitting Russian refineries overnight and remained ready to stop energy attacks if Russia reciprocated. “It is increasingly evident that Russia is unwilling to accept an energy ceasefire proposed by the United States,” he wrote.
He said six Ukrainian energy sites were hit and 33 people were wounded, adding that higher Russian revenues were feeding Moscow’s “war machine.”
Zelenskyy later said Russia kept up its attacks through Monday, with “Shahed” drones striking residential buildings in Kyiv and killing at least two people while injuring nine others. He said the continued strikes showed Moscow was responding to Trump’s proposed energy ceasefire “with new attacks,” arguing that Russia, rather than Ukraine, still needed to take steps toward “silence.” Reuters separately confirmed the Kyiv residential-building strike and casualty figures.
Diesel Deal Deepens Wider Diplomatic Fallout
The dispute comes days after Trump temporarily eased restrictions on Russian diesel exports. That deal has already drawn bipartisan criticism in Washington, with seven senators arguing it runs counter to a 2022 law barring Russian energy imports while Moscow continues its war. Reuters reported that Trump’s envoys told Ukrainian officials the diesel agreement was intended to draw Russia back into peace talks.
Trump has also escalated his criticism of Zelenskyy, recently calling for Ukraine to choose a new president. On Monday, he said Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin “have to get together and end that ridiculous war.”
European allies remain skeptical. EU foreign ministers approved nearly 1,600 new sanctions listings targeting Russia’s military-industrial complex, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said, “Russia will only negotiate seriously under pressure.”
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