Zelensky rebuts Trump's ceasefire claim, saying it is "news to me"
US President Donald Trump announced on the 11th that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an "energy ceasefire" halting attacks on each other's energy facilities, such as power plants and oil fields, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pushed back, calling it "news to me." In an interview with US media, Zelensky said, "If Russia agrees to an energy ceasefire, Ukraine will agree as well," but stopped short of saying a ceasefire had been reached. According to Ukraine, Russia continued attacking Ukrainian energy facilities even after Trump's announcement, striking a combined heat and power plant in Kharkiv, the country's second-largest city.
Trump has repeatedly demanded that Zelensky halt the attacks, claiming that rising diesel prices were the result of Ukraine's strikes on Russian oil refineries. Meanwhile, the Financial Times reported on the 11th that Trump administration officials had warned they would cut off US weapons supplies and intelligence if Ukraine did not stop the attacks.
The diesel import agreement was announced on the 9th. Trump said that day that he had agreed to a large-scale supply of Russian diesel to the US and global markets.
Six senators from both the Republican and Democratic parties issued a statement saying, "At a time when Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians, the United States must not provide Putin with a financial lifeline." The statement was signed by Republicans Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Thom Tillis, and John Curtis. They criticized, "The president's decision directly violates the law banning Russian oil imports until the aggression ceases." Congress had previously banned Russian energy imports in 2022 to block Russia's war financing.
As the backlash continued, the Trump camp moved to defend the deal. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, "We will use every legal authority we have to implement this agreement," adding, "It is good for Americans and will lower diesel prices." Republican Senator John Barrasso also defended Trump, saying he is focused on lowering energy costs.
However, observers point out that amid this ongoing conflict, the war situation is worsening rather than improving.
