EU top diplomat says will welcome Ukraine energy truce ‘when it holds’

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas expressed her support for a truce on striking energy infrastructure between Ukraine and Russia, provided it covers more than just oil refineries. Kallas stated at a meeting of EU foreign ministers that the bloc would welcome such a truce when it holds, but emphasized that Russia's compliance remains to be seen.

The Ukrainian foreign minister highlighted the imbalance in energy infrastructure between the two countries, noting that while Ukraine has one oil refinery, Russia has many. This discrepancy, Kallas suggested, would benefit Russia if a truce were to hold. The U.S. announcement of an "energy ceasefire" on Sunday had left Kyiv astonished and Moscow silent, raising doubts about the stability of the truce.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's claim that Russia had struck multiple Ukrainian power plants, including one in the capital and another in Kharkiv, added to the uncertainty. Western allies, including Australia, backed Ukraine's call for a genuine ceasefire while urging Russia to end its invasion. However, the U.S. announcement came amidst criticism from European allies and Ukraine, who felt it would only embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Kallas urged the U.S. to increase sanctions on Moscow instead, calling for more pressure on Russia to end the war. EU ministers were set to add around 1,600 individuals and entities to their sanctions blacklist over the war on Ukraine, targeting primarily the Russian military and arms industry.