Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has backed US President Donald Trump’s announcement of an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, saying Kyiv is awaiting details from Washington and expects Moscow to support the arrangement as well.
Zelensky announced Ukraine’s position on Sunday after speaking with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. However, Russia had not publicly confirmed the proposed truce by midday Sunday.
“Ukraine supports the ceasefire, and it is important that Russia support it as well. We are awaiting details from the American side,” Zelensky wrote on X.
He added that Ukraine supported measures aimed at de-escalation, protecting lives, ending the war and securing lasting peace.
Trump had announced the ceasefire on Truth Social, writing that both sides had agreed to stop attacks on energy targets. The White House subsequently reiterated the announcement on X.
However, Trump did not specify when the agreement was reached, which facilities it covered, how long it would remain in force or how compliance would be monitored.
Zelensky initially said the announcement had come as a surprise to him. Speaking to Axios shortly after Trump’s post, he said Ukraine would agree if Russia accepted an energy ceasefire. A senior Ukrainian official also told the Kyiv Independent that Kyiv had not received details and questioned whether Moscow had been informed.
Earlier on Sunday, Zelensky had offered to halt Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries if Moscow stopped attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
The latest announcement follows renewed diplomatic activity over the war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Both countries have repeatedly targeted each other’s energy facilities.
Trump’s announcement also comes amid controversy over a reported arrangement involving the release of Russian diesel into American and global markets. Ukraine, European officials and lawmakers from both major US parties have criticised the move.
India has also proposed a three-part truce involving a halt to attacks on energy and other infrastructure, the continuation of grain and energy shipments through Black Sea ports, and an end to strikes on commercial shipping, according to a report published on October 7. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India was seeking to address immediate concerns involving shipping safety and Russian and Ukrainian exports. New Delhi had not immediately commented on Trump’s latest announcement.
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