Trump claims Russia and Ukraine agree to energy ceasefire
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President Trump claimed that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to an immediate "energy ceasefire" involving a halt to mutual attacks on energy infrastructure. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the announcement surprised him but indicated Ukraine's readiness to accept such a ceasefire if Russia genuinely commits to it.
Trump says Russia and Ukraine agreed to immediate energy ceasefire
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Updated 1 hour ago - World
Trump claims Russia and Ukraine agree to energy ceasefire
* Barak Ravid
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!Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left), President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in separate photos.
*Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left), President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in separate photos. Photo: Volodymyr Tarasov/Ukrinform/Future Publishing, Ron Sachs/CNP/Bloomberg and Vyacheslav Prokofyev/AFP via Getty Images*
President Trump claimed Sunday that Russia and Ukraine agreed to an "energy ceasefire" and will halt attacks on each other's energy facilities.
* Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tells Axios the announcement "was news for me. But if Russians agree to an energy ceasefire, Ukraine will agree."
**Why it matters:** An "energy ceasefire" would be a dramatic diplomatic breakthrough ahead of the winter. It remains unclear if Russia indeed agreed to stop the strikes.
* Trump made a similar announcement last month, but neither party confirmed that there was a deal. Both Russia and Ukraine continued attacking energy infrastructure.
**What they're saying:** "Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.
* In a short interview after Trump's announcement, Zelensky told Axios, "If President Trump negotiated it with Putin, please tell us when the ceasefire begins. We are ready, and we will accept it."
**Catch up quick:** The announcement follows days of escalating tensions between Trump and Zelensky over Ukraine's attacks on Russian oil refineries.
* On Friday, Trump announced a deal to ease sanctions on Russian diesel exports in an effort to lower soaring fuel prices, infuriating Ukraine. * On Saturday, Trump called for Ukraine to replace Zelensky, accusing him of refusing opportunities to end the war. * Zelensky responded Sunday on ABC's "This Week," saying Ukraine would hold elections if Russia agreed to a 60-day ceasefire. He also said Ukraine was prepared to stop attacking Russian refineries if Moscow halted strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
**The big picture:** The war with Iran has driven up global fuel prices, intensifying pressure on Trump to deliver relief for American consumers.
* "It's more difficult to stop Putin than to pressure others," Zelensky told ABC on Sunday.
*Editor's note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated.*
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