President Donald Trump announced Sunday that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to an energy ceasefire, warning both sides against violating the agreement. However, Russia was alleged already to have done so.
The announcement comes after Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for targeting Russian oil refineries and suggested his country should elect a new leader.
“Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday. “Do not break it!”
On Saturday, Trump told reporters he was frustrated with Zelensky over Ukraine’s attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. The president said he had urged Zelensky to stop striking refineries.
“I said to him: ‘Do what you want, don’t hit refineries,’” Trump said.
“You’ve lost 30 percent of your country and you’ve had over a million people killed. … I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president,” Trump added. “Zelensky could have settled this war many times – many many times. And he chooses not to. Very difficult. It’s a war that should have never been started.”
Trump’s focus on energy comes as diesel prices have climbed sharply, creating economic and political pressure in the US ahead of the midterms.
However, the announced ceasefire appears to have been a surprise for all parties involved. Zelensky said he was surprised by the announcement and learned about it from social media. Despite this, Ukraine said it would accept the deal if Russia agreed.
According to ABC News, Russia attacked a power plant in eastern Ukraine after Trump’s statement. The thermal power plant was struck at least twice, and Zelensky confirmed another plant in Kyiv was also attacked.
