Zelenskyy says Russia violated Trump's 'energy ceasefire' with Kharkiv power plant attack
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IN SHORT
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia attacked energy infrastructure, including a power plant in Kharkiv, shortly after US President Donald Trump announced an "energy ceasefire" between the two nations. Zelenskyy expressed surprise at Trump's announcement, which he learned about via social media, and indicated Ukraine would support such a truce if Russia also complied. The attacks on power plants and a grocery store in Kharkiv, which killed three people, raise questions about Moscow's adherence to the declared ceasefire.
Key Numbers
3people killed in Kharkiv grocery store attack
9people injured in Kharkiv grocery store attack
Who's Involved
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President who vowed retaliation for Russian energy strikes
Donald Trump
Former US President who announced an "energy ceasefire" between Russia and Ukraine
Kaja Kallas
EU foreign policy chief who welcomed an energy ceasefire when it holds
Ke utis Budrys
Lithuanian foreign minister who criticized US sanctions decision
↳ Why This Matters
The escalating conflict over energy infrastructure strikes and differing approaches to sanctions on Russia risk further destabilizing global energy markets and straining transatlantic unity ahead of winter.
Key facts
Zelenskyy vowed retaliation if Russia continues strikes on Ukraine's power grid.
Russia attacked a power station in Kharkiv after Trump announced an "energy ceasefire".
Zelenskyy learned of the ceasefire from social media and expressed surprise.
European leaders support Kyiv, stating Russia is responsible for energy infrastructure attacks.
Lithuania criticized the US decision to lift sanctions on Russian diesel imports.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed to retaliate if Russia continues its attacks on Ukraine's power grid, stating that Kyiv would respond if Moscow did not agree to an "energy ceasefire" this winter. The comments came after Russia launched a "targeted attack" on a Kharkiv power station, plunging much of Kyiv into darkness, hours after US President Donald Trump announced an "energy ceasefire" that Ukraine said it had not agreed to.
Speaking to European security officials in Warsaw on Monday, Zelenskyy said, "If Russia does not agree to an energy ceasefire this winter, we will respond." He added that it was "clear that Putin does not read Truth Social," referring to Trump's social media platform where the "energy ceasefire" was announced.
European leaders have voiced support for Kyiv in its dispute with Trump over the strikes. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated, "We welcome the energy ceasefire when it holds. We haven’t yet seen that also Russia will stick to it." Ministers from the Baltic states criticized the US decision to lift sanctions on imports of Russian diesel, with Lithuania's foreign minister Ke utis Budrys saying, "This deal doesn’t help, neither the crisis of the oil products, nor the unity within the transatlantic community when it concerns Russia."
Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure using drones and missiles ahead of the winter months, leading to blackouts and water shortages. Trump's proposal for an "energy ceasefire" focused on halting strikes on oil refineries, a move Kallas said favored Russia, which possesses more refineries. Trump had blamed Ukraine's attacks for high diesel prices, rather than global energy market shocks.
Frequently asked questions
Donald Trump announced on social media that both Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an "ENERGY CEASEFIRE" effective immediately, aimed at sparing fuel and energy infrastructure from attacks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated he was surprised by the announcement and learned about it from social media. He indicated Ukraine would support such a truce if Russia also complied.
Shortly after Trump's announcement, Ukrainian officials reported that Russia had attacked a power plant in Kharkiv and energy infrastructure in Kyiv. A grocery store in Kharkiv was also hit, resulting in casualties.
What Happens Next
01Russia has yet to comment on the energy ceasefire announcement or the reported attacks.
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How It Developed
Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed to retaliate if Russia continued to strike Ukraine's power grid.
US President Donald Trump announced an "energy ceasefire" between Kyiv and Moscow.
Zelenskyy stated he was surprised by Trump's announcement, which he learned about via social media.
Russia launched a "targeted attack" on a Kharkiv power station shortly after Trump's announcement.
European leaders voiced support for Kyiv, stating Russia was responsible for strikes on energy infrastructure.
Lithuania's foreign minister criticized the US decision to lift sanctions on Russian diesel imports.
Russia has increased attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure ahead of winter, causing blackouts and water shortages.
