Trump's energy ceasefire announcement was 'news for me' (Zelensky)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the Axios digital news outlet on Sunday that he was surprised by US counterpart Donald Trump's announcement of a Ukraine-Russia "energy ceasefire," but he would accept it whenever it begins. Our correspondent Gulliver Cragg tells us more.
US President Donald Trump proclaimed that Russia and Ukraine had reached an immediate ceasefire agreement aimed at protecting energy infrastructure. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed surprise at the news, indicating he had not been made aware of any such deal. The statement came after Trump suggested Ukraine consider electing a new leader, citing the president's inability to secure a peace agreement with Russia.
Trump announced the purported agreement on social media, urging both nations to honor the ceasefire. Ukrainian officials, however, did not immediately confirm the agreement. Zelensky subsequently called for a 60-day ceasefire to allow for presidential elections, emphasizing the difficulty of holding such an event amidst ongoing hostilities.
Trump encouraged a change in Ukraine's leadership, arguing that a new president might be more capable of negotiating a resolution. Zelensky rejected Trump's call, stating that the choice of Ukraine's leadership is up to its people. Despite the differing perspectives, Zelensky reiterated Ukraine's commitment to the conflict's end and appealed for support from the US and European allies.
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