Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure during a live interview with Fox News. Despite former President Donald Trump’s announcement of an energy ceasefire, Zelenskyy accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of ignoring peace efforts from Washington. Zelenskyy expressed Ukraine’s readiness for a ceasefire but doubted Putin’s willingness to comply, citing recent attacks on Ukrainian gas infrastructure.
Zelenskyy asserted that Ukraine had already refrained from striking Russian energy facilities following Trump’s statement about an energy ceasefire. However, he stated that Russia continued its assaults, targeting gas stations and energy infrastructure in Ukraine. Zelenskyy described these attacks as a direct response to Trump’s initiative and emphasized that Russia’s communication suggested unawareness of any ceasefire agreement.
On Truth Social, Trump announced that both nations agreed to cease attacks on energy facilities, though Moscow has not confirmed this. According to Axios, the original proposal focused on halting attacks on oil refineries, with a broader ceasefire potentially covering power plants and electricity grids. A White House official mentioned that Russia had not yet agreed to this proposal.
Addressing concerns over the ceasefire, Zelenskyy emphasized that the agreement should ensure neither side targets the other’s energy infrastructure. When pressed on halting attacks on Russian refineries, Zelenskyy offered a conditional commitment: Ukraine would stop if Russia ceased its attacks.
Trump criticized Ukraine’s targeting of Russian refineries, claiming they contribute to higher global fuel prices. Zelenskyy challenged this view, pointing to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, rather than Ukrainian actions, as the main cause of rising diesel prices.
The interview also revealed tensions regarding Trump’s call for new presidential elections in Ukraine, with Trump suggesting a new leader is needed in Kyiv. Zelenskyy responded by asserting that only Ukrainians can decide on leadership changes, and elections require a pause in hostilities for them to be feasible. Zelenskyy noted the ongoing threat from Russian attacks as a significant barrier to holding elections.
Amid continued Russian assaults on Ukraine’s energy facilities, Ukraine’s charge d’affaires, Denys Sienik, reported significant strikes on power and thermal plants. Meanwhile, reports from East2West News highlighted civilian casualties from these attacks. Despite Trump’s announcement, Russia continued its operations, and Kyiv avoided targeting Russian energy sites.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov rejected a ceasefire to facilitate Ukrainian elections, fearing it would allow European countries to replenish Ukraine’s weapons supplies, expressing distrust in a calm period.
Trump’s decision to ease restrictions on Russian diesel faced criticism. Critics argued the decision might provide Moscow with additional resources for its military campaign, undermining U.S. leverage over Putin. Former deputy assistant secretary of state, Carrie Filipetti, highlighted the importance of stopping the diesel deal to achieve a real ceasefire.
Conversely, Morgan Murphy, a former official on diplomacy to Russia and Ukraine, defended Trump’s efforts to encourage negotiation as a realistic outcome. Murphy emphasized that both Ukraine and Russia are facing significant losses, and an extended conflict would only increase human suffering.
Zelenskyy highlighted the human cost of the war in his interview, noting Russian strikes resulted in daily civilian casualties. He underscored the importance of a ceasefire as a crucial first step toward ending the conflict.
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