Zelensky Says He Was Unaware of Trump's Declared Russia-Ukraine Energy Ceasefire

U.S. President Donald Trump declared that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an "energy ceasefire" to halt attacks on each other's energy infrastructure, including power facilities — but Ukraine, the party directly involved, said it had not been informed of this in advance. On the 11th (local time), Trump stated on his Truth Social account: "An 'energy ceasefire' between Russia and Ukraine is now in effect, effective immediately. Both sides have agreed to this. Do not violate it."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the U.S. media outlet Axios that "it was news to me as well," noting that no such agreement had been reached. He added, however, that "if Russia agrees to an energy ceasefire, Ukraine will agree as well."

Russia stuck to a principled position. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the Sputnik news agency, "We remain open to negotiations." Asked whether Ukraine needs elections, he said, "President Putin has not yet said anything on this matter."

In an ABC News interview and on his Telegram account, Zelensky said that "if Trump and Putin can secure a two-month ceasefire, Ukraine can prepare to hold a new presidential election," adding that "if Moscow stops attacking Ukrainian energy facilities, Ukraine is ready to stop attacking Russian refineries." His remarks are seen as a response to President Trump's comment on the 10th that "I think it's time for a new president in Ukraine."

The Washington Post analyzed that rising diesel prices caused by Ukraine's attacks on Russian refineries, and the growing political burden ahead of the midterm elections, were behind Trump's talk of replacing Zelensky.