"Energy Truce" Blown Away... Russia Rejects Temporary Ceasefire
The day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denied knowledge of a “energy truce” between Russia and Ukraine, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, Russia declined on Monday to confirm the implementation of an agreement to halt mutual attacks on energy facilities.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters: “Communications are ongoing, and as soon as we have something to say on this matter, we will make sure to inform you.”
In response to a separate question about Zelensky’s call for a comprehensive 60-day ceasefire to allow for presidential elections demanded by Trump, Peskov said: “We do not want a ceasefire; we want a long-term peace.”
He added, “If they truly want to hold elections in Kyiv, the Russian President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, would be ready to issue an order not to strike Ukraine on election day, specifically on the day of the elections.”
During a video address at the Warsaw Security Forum on Monday, Zelensky reiterated that his country would respond if Moscow did not agree to an “energy truce,” while Ukrainian officials stated that Russian forces continued to target Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
Zelensky said, “If Russia wants us to stop our long-range strikes against its oil refineries and oil exports, it must stop its strikes on our energy grid and critical infrastructure and stop killing our people.”
A statement issued on Monday by the regional prosecutor’s office in Kharkiv, located in northeastern Ukraine, reported that Russian forces attacked an energy facility in the city’s suburbs.
Trump had previously announced truces and other arrangements via his Truth Social account before they were confirmed by either Kyiv or Moscow.
Trump’s unilateral announcement came two days after he declared a temporary easing of U.S. sanctions on Russian diesel, sparking anger among European allies and Kyiv, which viewed the move as strengthening Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In Europe, where leaders quickly welcomed the truce even without confirming any details, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that no signs had been observed of Russia’s commitment to halting attacks. In an indirect comment on the diesel deal between Trump and Putin, the French president said: “We cannot reopen the discussion on the energy situation unless there is a genuine ceasefire committed to by both sides.”
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, speaking at the Warsaw Forum, affirmed that Russia is not interested in any ceasefire or de-escalation in its war against Ukraine. He added, “Therefore, I will go to Brussels to persuade my European partners to seriously consider strengthening sanctions on Russia.”
In Washington, members of the U.S. Senate from both the Republican and Democratic parties urged Trump to “back down” from the diesel supply deal with Russia, stating it violated U.S. law prohibiting energy imports until Russia ends its aggression against Ukraine.
The seven senators, four from Trump’s Republican Party and three from the Democratic Party, said in a statement that “the United States should not provide Putin with a financial lifeline while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians.” They clarified that the administration had not consulted with “Congress” nor provided any explanation for its decision, as required by law passed by “Congress.”
Republican Senator Tom Tillis of North Carolina said the deal may be illegal and could endanger American lives.
