Russia has violated energy ceasefire, says Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has alleged that Russia has breached an energy ceasefire previously endorsed by US President Donald Trump. Speaking via video link at a security conference in Warsaw, Zelensky called upon Washington to intervene to ensure Moscow adheres to the agreement's stipulations.

Zelensky expressed disappointment over the lack of specifics provided by Trump in the announcement, which caused confusion in Kyiv and silence from Moscow. Western allies, including Ukraine, welcomed Trump's temporary easing of US sanctions on Russian diesel but viewed it as potentially encouraging Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Zelensky emphasized that if Russia fails to comply with the energy ceasefire, Ukraine would respond. He sternly stated that Russia must cease its airstrikes targeting energy infrastructure and stop killing Ukrainian civilians. Trump, known for making such announcements on his Truth Social account without confirmation from either side, previously suggested that an energy ceasefire and other measures to curtail escalation and ensure security were necessary.

Meanwhile, the European Union has significantly widened its sanctions against Russia in response to its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Over 1,600 new individuals and entities have been added to the EU's sanctions blacklist, with a substantial number linked to the production chain for ballistic missiles. EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas announced this move, underscoring the bloc's united stance against Russia.