Russia and Ukraine have agreed to an energy ceasefire, Donald Trump has confirmed, however Volodymyr Zelensky has declared the announcement as “news to me”.
Taking to social media, the US President said: “Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine.
“Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!”
Mr Zelensky said Ukraine will agree to the deal if the Russians have agreed themselves.
“The ceasefire announcement was news for me. But if Russians agree to an energy ceasefire Ukraine will agree,” he said, according to Axios.
“If President Trump negotiated it with Putin, please tell us when the ceasefire begins. We are ready and we will accept it.”
Meanwhile Rosatom, Russia’s state energy corporation, says it expects to reach a ceasefire agreement soon and repair damaged equipment at the Zaporizhzhia thermal power station.
The news comes just hours after President Trump had called on Ukraine to “get a new President” in an escalation on his war of words with Mr Zelensky.
Russia and Ukraine have agreed to an energy ceasefire, Donald Trump has confirmed
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READ MORE ON THE RUSSIA AND UKRAINE WAR
Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine will agree to the deal if the Russians have agreed themselves – but admitted Donald Trump’s announcement was ‘news to me’
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And speaking on Saturday, he embarked on a blistering rant on the Ukrainian President: “Zelensky could have settled this war many times, many, many times. And he chooses not to. Very difficult. It’s a war that should have never been started.
“We said, you can do whatever you want to Russia. Don’t hit the refineries, because that’s a world problem that’s caused. And he wants to make problems for the world.
“He wants to make problems for our farmers, our ranchers, with diesel fuel, because Russia supplies a large portion of the diesel fuel throughout the world.
“We told them, do whatever you want, but don’t hit the diesel fuel because there’s a big problem, a big shortage. And what does he do? He goes and hits the diesel fuel.
“So he’d better damn well stop,” the US leader stressed.
On Sunday, Mr Zelensky insisted any arrangement that may see Ukraine halt their attacks on diesel and fuel infrastructure must be underpinned by “real guarantees”.
“It is feasible to stop strikes on energy today, but Putin does not want to do this,” he stated.
He added that the “real cause of the war in Europe is Russia and Russia alone”.
And speaking to GB News this morning, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said he “didn’t agree” with the US following their diesel agreement with Russia.
Wes Streeting said he ‘didn’t agree’ with the US position and reaffirmed the UK’s support for Ukraine | GB NEWS“We don’t support the US decision on diesel. And as for President Zelensky, Ukraine chooses its leadership, not anyone else. Having been to Kyiv and seen firsthand the toll that Russia is taking on the Ukrainian people. I’m glad we have a strong leader in President Zelensky to get behind,” he stressed.
“In these situations, it’s our responsibility to try and bring our friends back together. That’s the leadership you can expect from Andy Burnham, from Ed Miliband allies.
“Our support has been rock solid across different Conservative and Labour prime ministers, and that will continue for as long as it takes until Ukraine secures their freedom.”
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