Trump says Russia and Ukraine agree to 'energy ceasefire'

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to halt strikes on each other's energy infrastructure, a claim met with surprise from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who stated it was "news for me." Russia has been launching attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure since its invasion in February 2022, resulting in power and heating outages for millions during cold temperatures.

Ukraine, in response, has targeted Russian oil refineries, claiming they fund the war. DTEK, Ukraine's largest private energy provider, reported power outages in Kyiv on Sunday due to the attacks. On his Truth Social network, Trump wrote that an "ENERGY CEASEFIRE" exists between Russia and Ukraine, urging both parties to respect it.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine's readiness to stop attacking Russian oil refineries if Russia ceased its attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Trump's announcement comes amid escalating tensions between the two leaders over a recent diesel deal between Russia and the United States.