Trump said earlier in the day on Truth Social that “effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine”. He added: “Both parties have agreed”.
Zelensky said in an evening address that Russian attacks had continued all day. “Unfortunately, Ukrainian skies have been infested with Russian ‘Shaheds’ all day today”, he said. “There are ‘Shaheds’ in the skies right now, too”.
“Just now, there was a strike on CHP-5 in Kharkiv – on Kharkiv’s energy infrastructure”, he said. CHP-5 is a combined heat and power plant. Zelensky adviser Dmytro Lytvyn confirmed the strike came after Trump’s announcement.
Zelensky welcomed the truce but said it must hold in practice. “This is good news for everyone – and it is important that it become reality”, he said.
The announcement appeared to catch Kyiv off guard. Axios journalist Barak Ravid reported that Zelensky told the outlet the news was new to him, but that Ukraine would accept a truce if Russia agreed and Trump had negotiated it with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelensky asked to be told when it begins.
After speaking with Mark Carney, Alexander Stubb and Mark Rutte, Zelensky said Kyiv was waiting for the US to share details. “Ukraine supports the ceasefire, and it is important that Russia support it as well. We are awaiting details from the American side”, he wrote on social media.
It is not the first such announcement by Trump. The American leader declared an energy truce on 14 September, but mutual attacks soon resumed, and the Kremlin tied the deal to the lifting of sanctions on Russia’s energy sector.
(jh)
Source: PAP, Polish Radio