Trump declares immediate ‘energy ceasefire’ between Russia, Ukraine, Zelenskyy reacts
United States President Donald Trump
Abdullateef Fowewe
The White House has announced what it described as an immediate “energy ceasefire” in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
The White House shared a statement from President Donald Trump claiming on Sunday that both sides had agreed to halt attacks on energy infrastructure.
“Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine.
“Both parties have agreed. Do not break it! Thank you for your attention to this matter,” Trump had written.
The announcement comes after weeks of escalating mutual strikes on oil refineries, power plants, and other energy facilities that have disrupted global fuel supplies and contributed to higher energy prices.
Trump had intensified public pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in recent days to stop targeting Russian oil infrastructure, arguing the attacks were harming American consumers.
On Friday, the United States also moved to temporarily ease certain sanctions to facilitate increased Russian diesel exports to global markets.
Zelenskyy responded that the ceasefire claim was unexpected.
Speaking to Axios, he said the announcement “was news for me,” but added that Ukraine would accept an energy ceasefire if Russia agreed, “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.”
As at the time of filing this report, Moscow hasn’t confirmed the development.
The development follows Zelenskyy’s earlier comments on Sunday offering reciprocal steps, including a halt to Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries if Moscow stopped attacking Ukraine’s energy grid, as part of broader calls for de-escalation.
