The Ukrainian president announced that Ukraine is ready to implement an energy truce proposed by US President Donald Trump, but warned that Russia shows no sign of doing the same. Zelensky stated that the success of the de-escalation would largely depend on the stance of the United States and called on Washington to increase pressure on Moscow.
Zelensky spoke after receiving a report from the negotiating team on meetings in the US. He stated that Kyiv is in daily contact with Trump’s team and that the next steps and diplomatic framework for continuing talks have been defined. “Ukraine is ready to guarantee an energy truce, as proposed by the US president, and Russia must take the appropriate steps,” Zelensky said.
Despite Trump’s announcement, Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure continued. Zelensky stated that Russia had attacked Ukraine’s energy infrastructure the previous day and that the strikes continued that day. In his view, the whole country was experiencing air raids, with Russian Shahed drones being used and attacks by air bombs continuing. He stated that Russia had wasted another opportunity to move closer to peace, if these attacks were indeed Russia’s response to the American president’s statement.
Trump had previously stated on his social media platform, Truth Social, that Russia and Ukraine had reached an agreement on an energy truce, specifically a cessation of mutual attacks on energy infrastructure. “From this moment, an energy truce is in effect in the war between Russia and Ukraine. Both sides have agreed. Do not break it,” Trump said. His announcement caught Zelensky off guard, who stated that Ukraine supports the energy truce but expects details from the American side. He emphasised that Kyiv is ready to suspend attacks on Russian energy facilities on condition that Russia does the same.
The Kremlin, however, rejected the idea of a temporary ceasefire. The spokesperson for the Kremlin, Dmitry Peskov, stated that Russia, instead of a temporary ceasefire, seeks a long-term peace agreement. The continuation of attacks and the lack of an official Russian confirmation raised questions about whether a ceasefire agreement exists and when it would come into force.
Zelensky, earlier that day, at the Warsaw Security Forum, said that an energy truce and other steps to reduce escalation and guarantee security “are genuinely needed here, in reality, not just on social media.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov commented on Trump’s announcement and Zelensky’s reaction. Speaking at a press conference with his Lebanese counterpart, he said: “He wants to use any words, initiatives, or ideas that come into the public sphere to, in one way or another, achieve his interest in a pause. I do not think he deserves it.”
Meanwhile, Russian forces attacked Kyiv in the evening with a drone that hit a 25-storey residential building in the Darnytsia district, according to the mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko. According to initial reports, several people were injured, and a section of the building between the 11th and 15th floors was affected. “Cars in the courtyard are also on fire. Emergency services are on their way to the scene,” said Klitschko. The Ukrainian air force had previously warned of an attack by Russian drones on the capital.
Ukraine has deployed more than ten autonomous weapon stations around Kyiv to defend against Russian drones, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence announced. The systems independently detect targets and open fire without direct human control. Ukraine claims that several drones have already been shot down, which, due to their speed, present a more challenging target for air defence systems.
The British prime minister, Andy Burnham, told MPs that the United Kingdom remains firmly behind Ukraine and accused Russia of attempting to break the morale of the population through intensified attacks. “This will never happen,” said Burnham. He called for an energy truce in which both sides would cease attacks on energy infrastructure, noting that he had discussed this with Donald Trump the previous month. He welcomed Trump’s recent announcement of a mutual energy truce and added that Zelensky had confirmed to him that Ukraine would begin implementing it as soon as a start date was confirmed.
The Lithuanian prime minister, Mindaugas Sinkevičius, strongly criticised Trump’s agreement with Vladimir Putin on the import of Russian diesel, calling it “shameful” and “humiliating”. He stated that he was unsure if there was a written agreement. “I have seen posts on social media, but I have not seen any written agreement. I am not sure if it is even in progress or just a political claim,” Sinkevičius told Sky News at the Warsaw Security Forum. When asked if Trump could still be trusted in his relations with Putin, he replied: “I hope, I hope.” He added that Europe must do what it can on its own and rely more on its own capabilities, but noted that political administrations change, while alliances between allies remain.
The Ukrainian security service (SBU) prevented a bomb attack on a bus with soldiers in Rivne. A 19-year-old student was arrested for being recruited by Russian intelligence services for money.
Russia attacked six energy facilities in Ukraine today, with 33 people injured in the attacks, according to Zelensky. The US administration warned Ukraine that it would suspend the exchange of intelligence data and weapons procurement programmes from the US if it did not cease long-range attacks on Russian energy facilities, the Financial Times reported. CNN subsequently reported on the American threats, citing its own sources. According to CNN, the warnings came from the US State Department and the Pentagon and were directed at officials in Ukraine and Europe. Washington, according to the Financial Times, also threatened to suspend the PURL programme.
Prime Minister Plenković strongly responded to the opposition over Gospić, confirmed support for Ukraine, and announced the protection of Croatian interests in the EU budget. Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage stated that a government led by that populist right-wing party would carefully review British aid to Ukraine. Donald Trump defends the import of Russian diesel as the right decision for the US, despite sharp criticism from Kyiv, Europe, and domestic senators for cooperating with Putin. Kaja Kallas advocates for Russia to pay for war damages using frozen assets and announces the most extensive sanctions and isolation from sport to date.
