Yesterday (Sunday), US President Donald Trump announced an “energy truce” between Moscow and Kiev, stressing that it would enter into force immediately and that both parties had agreed to it.
Trump did not provide further details about this agreement, which he announced in a brief post on his social media site. While Moscow did not comment immediately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was quick to announce that he was waiting to learn the details of the agreement, indicating that his country supports such a step.
Trump's announcement of the "energy truce" came the day after he criticized Zelensky, saying that it was time for a new president to take office in Ukraine. He pointed out that Zelensky had not done enough to end the war, and blamed him for the rise in diesel fuel prices in America. Zelensky responded to these statements by saying that Ukraine could hold elections if Russia agreed to a 60-day ceasefire.
In turn, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen yesterday expressed her support for President Zelensky after the sharp criticism he faced from his American counterpart. The European official also supported Kyiv's call to declare an energy truce with Russia.
US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to a “ceasefire in the energy sector,” without providing specific details about the terms of the agreement, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky received European support after the US President called for him to step down. Trump said in a brief post on his social media site that the ceasefire would take effect immediately, and that both sides had agreed to it. He added: “Do not violate the agreement.” The White House did not immediately publish President Trump's post, or provide any details about the agreement, and Moscow did not immediately comment on the announcement.
Ukraine “waiting for details”
But President Zelensky was quick to announce that he was waiting to learn the details of the ceasefire agreement in the energy sector, which the US President announced, indicating that Ukraine supports such a step. Zelensky added in a post on the Telegram application: “Ukraine supports the ceasefire, and it is important that Russia supports it as well.” We are awaiting details from the American side.” He indicated that he discussed what Trump announced with Mark Rutte, Secretary-General of NATO, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and with Finnish President Alex Stubb. He continued: “For our part, Ukraine always and fully supports the steps towards reducing escalation, protecting lives and the decisions required to end the war and ensure lasting peace.”
Zelensky had stated, in an interview broadcast earlier Sunday, that Ukraine was ready to stop striking Russian refineries if Moscow stopped its attacks on Ukraine's energy system, and he asked Trump to pressure the Kremlin to agree. “We are asking President Trump to give them a signal not to attack Ukraine’s energy infrastructure,” Zelensky told ABC’s “This Week.”
Trump's announcement of the "energy truce" came the day after he criticized Zelensky, saying that it was time for a new president to take office in Ukraine, noting that Zelensky had not done enough to end the war, and blaming him for the rise in diesel fuel prices in America. Zelensky responded to these statements by saying that Ukraine could hold elections if Russia agreed to a 60-day ceasefire. He added: “Give us two months, 60 days. A complete ceasefire for 60 days and we will organize elections,” he said, adding that Ukraine would be ready to accept any choice made by its people. He continued: “With all due respect to President Trump, it is up to our society and our people to choose one leader or another.” Zelensky added that holding elections during war would be illegal, and that Ukraine would need security guarantees to allow people to vote safely.
Tension between Trump and Zelensky
Tensions have escalated between the US and Ukrainian presidents since Friday, when Trump announced that an agreement had been reached allowing Russia to pump large quantities of diesel into global energy markets in exchange for easing the sanctions imposed on it. Zelensky described the agreement as a “weak decision,” considering that it would encourage Russia to continue its attacks on Ukraine, but Trump on Saturday held the Ukrainian strikes responsible for the rise in fuel prices. European Union foreign policy chief Kaya Kallas also warned on Saturday that lifting sanctions on Russian diesel would contribute to financing Moscow's war on Ukraine. Callas wrote on social media: “This is not the time to ease pressure on Russia, and Europe will not do that.” The terms of the agreement announced by Trump on Friday stipulate that Russia will send more than 300,000 tons of diesel to the American and global markets immediately, equivalent to about 2.25 million barrels of fuel. The United States leads with about 1.5 million barrels of diesel per day. Gasoline and diesel prices at American gas stations have risen sharply since late February, with Tehran closing the Strait of Hormuz, the main Strait of Hormuz, for oil exports from the Gulf, after the outbreak of war. Zelensky said in a post on the “X” platform: “Ukraine is ready to stop targeting Russian oil refineries if Russia stops targeting our energy infrastructure.” Any steps to reduce escalation must be mutual and supported by actual guarantees.” Russia has launched waves of attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities since the start of its invasion in February 2022, cutting off electricity and heating for millions of people during the winter months. On Sunday, DTEK, the largest private energy provider in Ukraine, announced new power outages in the capital, Kiev. Trump is under pressure to reduce rising fuel prices before the midterm elections scheduled for November, which will determine whether his Republican Party maintains control of Congress during his final two years in office. Many lawmakers, including Republicans, criticized the diesel agreement, describing it as a reward for Putin.
European support for the Ukrainian president
Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, on Sunday, expressed her support for President Zelensky, who faced sharp criticism from his American counterpart, and also supported Kiev's call to declare an energy truce with Russia. In a post on the “X” platform following a conversation she had with the Ukrainian president, von der Leyen said that she “fully” supports President Zelensky’s call for a ceasefire that “would protect the global food supply and the energy infrastructure of both Ukraine and Russia.”
German Foreign Minister Johan Vadevol also confirmed on Sunday that Germany remains supportive of Ukraine and its government, and that it “fully supports the president as he performs his difficult tasks.” Also, Germany, which is the largest European donor to Ukraine, said that it would maintain the sanctions imposed on Russia despite Trump’s announcement that his administration had temporarily lifted US sanctions on Russian fuel. Vadivul, who met his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York last month, said that “consistency and clarity” are necessary to support Ukraine and push Moscow to negotiate. Vadivhol added: “We do not need to ease the pressure, but rather we need to put more pressure on Putin to make him ready to negotiate.” This is what the current moment requires, and this is what the government is defending.” A spokesman for the British Prime Minister's Office (10 Downing Street) also said that Prime Minister Andy Burnham spoke with Zelensky and informed him that London would continue to tighten its sanctions on Russia.
