‘Russia Did Not Heed Trump’: Zelenskyy Questions Energy Ceasefire After Fresh Strikes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday accused Russia of ignoring US President Donald Trump’s call for an energy ceasefire, saying Moscow had continued attacking Ukraine while Kyiv refrained from targeting Russian oil refineries and other energy facilities.

“Ukraine has not carried out strikes on Russian oil refineries or the energy sector in general for the two days since the American President announced an energy ceasefire. But Russia did not heed the American President,” Zelenskyy wrote on X.

His remarks sharpened questions over the proposed arrangement, whose terms and acceptance by both sides remained unclear in the public statements.

FOUR KILLED IN KHARKIV, SAYS ZELENSKYY

Zelenskyy said Russian forces launched more than 100 weapons, including jet-powered drones, loitering munitions and ballistic missiles, between Monday evening and Tuesday.

Ukrainian forces intercepted a significant number, he said, but civilian and critical infrastructure across 19 regions had been hit over two days.

In Kharkiv, a residential building was destroyed, killing four people and prompting an overnight rescue operation, according to the Ukrainian president. He said 41 people were injured in the city during a single evening of strikes.

Zelenskyy also reported a five-missile ballistic attack on civilian infrastructure in Kyiv, describing it as “particularly vile”.

KYIV FLAGS LACK OF EARLY WARNING

Zelenskyy said Ukraine had received no advance warning from its partners about the Kyiv strike, highlighting the importance of intelligence on Russian missile launches.

“Intelligence on Russian ballistic missile launches helps save lives, and this is one of the most critical issues,” he said.

He argued that the continuing attacks showed Russia had no intention of refraining from strikes, while reiterating Ukraine’s willingness to take reciprocal steps towards de-escalation.

“Our position remains unchanged: Ukraine is ready for reciprocal steps toward de-escalation, and effective pressure on Russia is needed to make de-escalation happen,” he said.

Zelenskyy urged partners to sustain military assistance and pressure on Moscow, warning that delays in support would weaken Ukraine’s ability to protect civilians.

TRUMP SAYS HE WILL EXAMINE VIOLATIONS

Speaking to reporters on Monday before travelling to Ohio for a campaign rally, Trump said he would look into reports that Russia had violated the proposed energy ceasefire.

“Well, I’ll have to look at it and see because there’s been violations on both sides,” he said.

When a reporter noted that Russia and Ukraine had not both confirmed an agreement, Trump insisted they had accepted it.

“They agreed because I said they agreed. And that thing has to get settled,” he said.

Trump maintained that both leaders wanted a deal, while suggesting Putin was more willing to negotiate.

“I think actually Putin wants to make a deal more than Zelensky,” he said.

RUSSIAN DIESEL DEAL ADDS TO DEBATE

Trump also defended allowing Russian diesel supplies, arguing that the arrangement would benefit international markets.

He had previously announced an initial shipment of more than 300,000 tonnes, followed by 500,000 tonnes in November and another one million tonnes immediately afterwards. A further three million tonnes would depend on the condition of Russia’s diesel refineries, he said.

Putin has also argued that Russian oil and petroleum supplies to the US and global markets would benefit the world economy. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, energy supplies were discussed during his telephone conversation with Trump on Friday, alongside Ukraine and Iran.

With inputs from ANI