Ukraine Threatens Retaliation If Russia Rejects Energy Ceasefire
Ukraine has threatened to retaliate against Russia if Moscow fails to agree to an energy ceasefire announced by United States President Donald Trump.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued the warning on Monday while addressing the Warsaw Security Forum via videolink, amid uncertainty over the proposed truce between the two countries.
“If Russia does not agree to an energy ceasefire, we will respond,” Zelensky said.
Trump’s announcement of an energy ceasefire over the weekend sparked confusion after he declared the arrangement without providing details, prompting surprise in Kyiv, silence from Moscow and support from Ukraine’s Western allies.
Zelensky said Ukraine was awaiting clarification on the proposal and the next steps Washington intended to take.
“We are waiting for the details of the conversation between the Americans and the Russians, and we are waiting to see what specific steps the Americans are ready to take,” he said.
Trump’s announcement on Sunday came two days after he declared a temporary easing of US sanctions on Russian diesel, a move that triggered criticism from European allies and Kyiv.
Ukraine and its European partners argued that easing the restrictions could embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Zelensky said any agreement to halt Ukraine’s long-range attacks on Russian oil facilities and exports must be matched by an end to Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
“If Russia wants us to stop our long-range strikes against its oil refineries and oil exports, then Russia must stop its strikes against our energy system and critical infrastructure and stop killing our people,” he said.
Trump has previously used his Truth Social account to announce truces and other arrangements before either Kyiv or Moscow publicly confirmed them.
Expressing concern over the lack of concrete details surrounding the proposed agreement, Zelensky stressed that an energy ceasefire must translate into practical action rather than remain an announcement on social media.
“An energy ceasefire and other steps to reduce escalation and guarantee security are truly needed here in reality, not just on Truth Social,” he said.
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