Zelensky says Russia violated energy truce announced by Trump | Russia-Ukraine War

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had called for a total 60-day ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia attacked its energy sites despite a ceasefire deal announced earlier in the day by US President Trump aimed at sparing oil infrastructure.

The announcement comes after Trump said the two countries had agreed to an “energy ceasefire,” after mutual attacks on energy infrastructure increased pressure on global energy prices.

“Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the war between Russia and Ukraine. Both sides have agreed,” Trump wrote on social media. “Don’t break it! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP.”

Zelensky initially denied knowledge of the deal and said it was “news to him,” according to Axios.

“The Ukrainian sky was infested with Russian ‘shaheds’ all day today,” he wrote on X, adding that kyiv would support such a truce but that Moscow must also comply.

“There have been glide bomb strikes and strikes on our energy infrastructure as well. A power plant in Kharkiv was attacked this evening,” he added.

There was no immediate announcement from the Kremlin regarding the claim.

Zelensky previously said on Sunday that he would hold elections if Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a comprehensive 60-day ceasefire.

“Better to stop”

On Saturday, Trump criticized Ukraine’s president for attacking Russian oil refineries, a day after the United States temporarily lifted sanctions on Russian fuel that were initially imposed to undermine Moscow’s war effort in Ukraine.

“He better stop,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “I think it is time for Ukraine to have a new president,” he added.

Earlier Saturday, Zelenskyy said Trump’s announcement of the diesel deal with Putin had emboldened Moscow. kyiv has instead urged Washington to pressure Moscow into serious negotiations to end the four-and-a-half-year war.

“Today, Russia thanked Russia for lifting sanctions on diesel exports by dropping five hover bombs on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia,” Zelenskyy said.

“Last night once again confirmed that Russia perceives any easing of pressure as a signal that it is supposed to be able to continue fighting, that it is supposed to continue dropping bombs on cities. Other signals are needed.”

“It’s up to the Ukrainians to decide”

The southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia is a regular target of Russian bombing, which has intensified in recent months.

On Saturday, a six-year-old girl was among those killed in Zaporizhzhia when an attack reduced part of a building to rubble. Her grandfather, Anatoliy Chumniy, sobbed over her body, lying on the ground in a white bag, after rescuers pulled her from the wreckage.

In response to Trump’s suggestion for a new leader, Zelenskyy said “it’s up to the Ukrainians” to choose their leader and noted that Putin would also like to change who leads Ukraine.

Earlier on Sunday, Zelensky said Ukraine was ready to end attacks on Russian oil refineries if Moscow stopped its own attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.