🔴 Trump says Russia and Ukraine agree to 'energy ceasefire'
France 24
F
France 24
Original Source
US President Donald Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to cease strikes on each other's energy infrastructure effective immediately. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed surprise at the announcement, saying he had not been informed of the agreement beforehand.
US President Donald Trump said in a brief statement Sunday that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to halt strikes on each other's energy infrastructure.
Read moreUkraine says ready to halt refinery strikes if Moscow stops energy attacks
"Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!" he wrote on his Truth Social network, without adding further details.
Zelensky quickly responded to Trump's announcement, stating during an interview with news outlet Axios that the ceasefire was "news for me".
"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," Zelensky was quoted as saying by Axios.
He later added in a post on the Telegram app, "Ukraine supports the ceasefire, and it is important that Russia support it as well. We are awaiting details from the American side," noting that he had just discussed Trump's announcement with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Finnish President Alex Stubb.
"For our part, Ukraine always FULLY supports steps toward de-escalation, the protection of lives, and the decisions needed to end the war and guarantee lasting peace," Zelensky said.
While no comments have been made by Russia, other European leaders have responded to the developments.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that France supports a "real energy ceasefire" between Ukraine and Russia, and EU Chief Ursula Von der Leyen said she extended "full support" to the Ukrainian leader, AFP reported.
Earlier Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated that his country would be ready to stop targeting Russian oil refineries if Russia curbed its attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
Read moreRussia launches major attack on Ukraine’s energy grid, causing power cuts
Zelensky's comment came amid a spat between Trump and the Ukrainian leader, who had denounced a US move to temporarily ease sanctions on Russian diesel.