US President Donald Trump declared an "immediate energy ceasefire" between Russia and Ukraine on Sunday, stating that both parties had agreed to the terms. The announcement, made on Truth Social, urged the involved nations, "Do not break it!"
Ukraine's Surprise and Official Denial
The declaration, however, caught Ukrainian leadership off guard. Speaking to US news site Axios, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated, "[Trump's announcement] was news for me." Zelensky added a conditional acceptance: "But if Russians agree to an energy ceasefire, Ukraine will agree." Further casting doubt on the agreement, a senior official close to President Zelensky told the Financial Times that "Nobody has heard [of it]."
Recent Tensions and Context
Trump's surprising announcement followed a period of heightened friction between the US president and President Zelensky. Just a day prior, Trump had publicly warned Ukraine to "damn well stop" targeting Russian oil refineries and suggested it was "time for Ukraine to get a new president."
These comments came after Zelensky had openly criticized a recent surprise deal between the US and Russia for diesel supplies, describing it as a "gift" to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Earlier on Sunday, Zelensky had indicated that Ukraine would cease its strikes on Russian oil refineries if Moscow, in turn, stopped attacking Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
Uncertainty Surrounds Ceasefire Claim
The immediate denial and lack of confirmation from Kyiv leave the status of any alleged "energy ceasefire" highly uncertain. The situation underscores the complex and often unpredictable dynamics of international diplomacy surrounding the ongoing conflict.