Topline
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday accused Russia of ignoring President Donald Trump’s call for an “energy ceasefire” and warned that Ukraine will continue retaliatory strikes unless Moscow formally agrees to Trump’s proposal under which both countries stop targeting each other’s energy infrastructure.
President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks to the audience via an online video call during the opening ceremony at the Warsaw Security Forum.
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Key Facts
Zelenskyy addressed attendees at the Warsaw Security Forum on Monday via a video call and said that “immediately” after Trump’s Truth Social post on Sunday, Russia launched a “targeted strike” on a power plant in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region.
The Ukrainian president then called out his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, saying: “It was clear that Putin doesn’t read Truth Social.”
On Sunday, Trump’s post claimed that Russia and Ukraine had both agreed to an “energy ceasefire,” without offering any details about what the deal covers, and he warned both countries “do not break it!”
Zelenskyy urged attendees at the Warsaw event to ensure Washington hears “one clear message” that the energy ceasefire and steps to reduce escalation are “truly needed here in reality, not just on Truth Social.”
The Ukrainian president said his country’s offer was “honest and clear” and it is ready to “respect an energy ceasefire if Russia is ready to do the same, we agree if they agree.”
Key Background
On Friday, Trump announced he had “discussions” with Russian President Vladimir Putin about supplying the U.S. with diesel as prices for the fuel used for farming, trucking and other crucial industries remains high. The average diesel price in the U.S. is $4.36 per gallon, according to data from GasBuddy, down slightly from its peak of $4.49 per gallon weeks earlier in September. According to Trump, Russia agreed to supply the U.S. with 300,000 tons of diesel, plus another 500,000 tons in November and 3 million tons “within a short period of time.” The Treasury Department then confirmed the U.S. was granting Russia, which faces severe sanctions over its ongoing war in Ukraine, a “temporary general license to allow the supply of Russian diesel to the global market.” Trump defended this deal on Saturday, telling reporters it would lead to “massive amounts of oil coming into our country, and I want to thank President Putin, to be honest with you.” He later insisted “we need oil for the world, and this is diesel which is what we need. So we’re very happy to get it,” before claiming “oil prices are already dropping like a rock.” Zelenskyy criticized the deal on X, claiming that “Russia expressed its thanks for the lifting of sanctions on diesel exports by dropping five glide bombs on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia” that killed 12 people, including three children. In response to Zelenskyy, Trump told reporters on Saturday, “I suggest they [Ukraine] get a new leader who can make a deal. Because he could have made many deals, but for some reason he never does.”
Crucial Quote
Zelenskyy said his country was “open” to the idea of an energy ceasefire in an earlier interview on Sunday morning with ABC News. “Don’t attack us, don’t kill our children. We will stop attack[ing] your diesel. And I think it’s fair, fair deal.” The Ukrainian president said Russia had targeted his country’s energy sector 196 times, killing a total of 153 civilians. Zelenskyy also addressed Trump’s demand for a new Ukrainian president. “With all respect to President Trump, it’s up to our society, up to our people, to choose one or another leader,” Zelenskyy said, but claimed elections would be “difficult” to secure with the ongoing war. However, Zelenskyy also said he would organize elections if Russia agreed to a 60-day ceasefire. “Please tell Putin, give us two months, 60 days of total ceasefire, 60 days, and we will organize elections,” Zelenskyy said.
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