Ukraine has signalled it is prepared to accept an energy ceasefire with Russia after Donald Trump unexpectedly announced that both sides had agreed to stop attacks on energy infrastructure with immediate effect.
Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine would support the proposal if Vladimir Putin was also willing to halt the strikes, but Kyiv initially said it had received no details confirming that an agreement existed.
“Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine,” Mr Trump wrote. “Both parties have agreed. Do not break it! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
A Ukrainian official in Kyiv said there was no information about an energy ceasefire, fuelling confusion over whether the US president had announced an outcome before negotiations had been completed.
Mr Zelensky later told the US outlet Axios: “The ceasefire announcement was news for me. But if Russians agree to an energy ceasefire Ukraine will agree. If president Trump negotiated it with Putin – please tell us when the ceasefire begins – we are ready and we will accept it.”
Ukraine awaits details of energy ceasefire
The announcement came as Russia has intensified attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, including power stations and energy networks, raising concern in Kyiv about the impact on civilians over the winter.
Mr Zelensky held a series of calls with Nato leaders after Mr Trump’s statement. Emmanuel Macron said France “unreservedly supports the call for a genuine energy truce”, but added that Russia was continuing to refuse it by stepping up strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure.
Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, said she fully supported efforts to protect energy infrastructure and global food supplies. She said European Union leaders would meet during the week to discuss funding for Ukraine, while the bloc would provide further money for drones and missiles.
Mr Zelensky said he had also spoken to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte. “We are awaiting details from the American side,” he said.
Russia’s attacks have included ballistic missiles and faster, jet-powered drones, increasing pressure on Ukraine’s air defences. Kyiv has responded with strikes on Russian supply lines and infrastructure, including oil refineries.
The attacks have contributed to fuel shortages in parts of Russia and made it more difficult for Russian oil companies to export diesel. Mr Trump urged Mr Zelensky during a phone call last month to stop targeting refineries, saying the strikes were pushing up diesel prices on world markets.
The US president’s announcement followed his decision to ease trade restrictions so Russia could export diesel fuel to American customers, a move that drew criticism from Ukraine’s leadership. Mr Trump also said Ukraine should hold elections to replace Mr Zelensky.
Mr Zelensky said he could prepare a plan for a new presidential election if Mr Trump secured a two-month ceasefire with Mr Putin. He told ABC that Ukraine was ready for de-escalation, with a ceasefire involving an end to Russian attacks on civilians in return for Ukraine halting strikes inside Russia.
