Trump says Ukraine and Russia agree to ‘energy ceasefire’

US President Donald Trump has announced an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, claiming that both sides have agreed to halt strikes on each other's energy infrastructure. Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social network, stating that 'Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine.'

However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed skepticism about the agreement, saying that it was 'news for me' and that he would only agree to it if Russia also agreed to stop its energy attacks. Zelenskyy has repeatedly stated that Ukraine would stop hitting Russian oil refineries if Russia first halted its energy attacks.

The announcement comes after a public feud between Trump and Zelenskyy over Ukraine's attacks on Russian oil refineries. Trump had previously announced that he was lifting sanctions on Russian diesel exports, which Zelenskyy had criticized as 'weak' and said would generate 'billions' in extra revenue for Putin.

The US has also been threatening to stop the procurement system that provides Ukraine with weapons, in an effort to press Kyiv to halt its deep strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. US officials have reportedly offered the Kremlin lucrative economic incentives in exchange for a ceasefire, including releasing billions in Russian sovereign assets that are frozen.

The situation remains unclear, with Zelenskyy reporting several Russian strikes on Ukraine in the hours following Trump's announcement. The Ukrainian president has called for 'real guarantees' from Ukraine's allies, including the US, to back any deal to end long-range drone strikes by Ukraine on targets inside Russia.

The energy ceasefire announcement has been met with skepticism by many, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who has expressed support for Zelenskyy's call for a ceasefire that protects global food supplies and energy infrastructure in Ukraine and Russia.