Trump announces a Russia–Ukraine energy ceasefire, but Zelensky says Kyiv awaits details and reports continued attacks on energy facilities.
Washington/Kyiv: US President Donald Trump announced on October 11 that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an immediate “energy ceasefire”. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed surprise, telling Axios that the announcement was “news for me”.
Trump made the announcement on Truth Social, claiming both countries had accepted the arrangement. His post did not explain how long the ceasefire would last, which facilities it would cover or how compliance would be monitored.
Zelensky said Ukraine would accept a reciprocal halt to attacks on energy infrastructure if Russia agreed. He also asked Washington to clarify when the arrangement would begin. His response indicated that Kyiv had not received the details needed to confirm Trump’s announcement.
The Ukrainian leader later said he had discussed the proposed ceasefire with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Ukraine supported de-escalation, he said, while awaiting further information from the American side.
Despite the announcement, Zelensky subsequently reported continuing Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, including a combined heating and power plant in Kharkiv. Reuters reported that Kyiv remained supportive of an agreement but was still waiting for its terms.
The announcement concerns attacks on energy facilities rather than a comprehensive ceasefire across the battlefield. Its implementation remains uncertain, with Ukraine’s reports of further strikes raising immediate questions about whether a reciprocal halt is in effect.
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