Zelenskyy Sets Terms for Russia Energy Truce
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Kyiv is prepared to halt attacks on Russian energy infrastructure only if Moscow stops striking Ukrainian facilities and the arrangement is backed by credible guarantees. His comments came after US President Donald Trump claimed Russia and Ukraine had agreed to stop targeting each other’s energy sites.
Zelenskyy Sets Conditions for Energy Ceasefire
Zelenskyy said Ukraine had not yet seen convincing evidence that Russia was ready for lasting de-escalation. He indicated that Kyiv could support a reciprocal pause in attacks if Moscow stopped targeting Ukrainian critical infrastructure and an effective mechanism was established to ensure compliance.
Trump had suggested that an agreement was already in place, but Zelenskyy’s remarks indicated that Kyiv viewed any energy ceasefire as conditional rather than finalised.
Trump Raises Concerns Over Russian Refinery Strikes
Trump has also urged Ukraine to stop attacking Russian oil refineries, linking the strikes to pressure on international diesel supplies and fuel prices.
Ukrainian forces have repeatedly targeted Russian refining and energy facilities as part of efforts to weaken Moscow’s ability to finance and sustain its military campaign. Russia has faced domestic fuel pressures and restrictions affecting some petroleum exports.
Russia-Ukraine Fighting Continues Despite Truce Talk
The discussion over a possible energy ceasefire comes while fighting and drone activity continue across the region.
Ukrainian authorities have continued to report Russian attacks on civilian and infrastructure targets, while Kyiv has maintained strikes against facilities inside Russia that it considers connected to Moscow’s war effort.
The continuing hostilities underline the gap between proposals for limited de-escalation and a broader ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war.
