Kallas says EU will back truce only ‘when it holds’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russian strikes hit energy facilities in Kyiv and the northeastern city of Kharkiv on Sunday, hours after President Donald Trump announced what he called an “energy ceasefire” between Russia and Ukraine. Zelenskyy said the deal was “news to me.” On Telegram, he wrote: “Ukraine is ready to refrain from striking Russian energy infrastructure – and we count on the same readiness from Russia.”
In a post on X, Zelenskyy said a drone hit a Kyiv power plant on Sunday, leading to power outages in the Ukrainian capital. Shortly after, he said there had been a strike on a power plant in Kharkiv, adding: “Ukrainian skies have been infested with Russian ‘shaheds’ all day” – a reference to a type of Iranian-made drone commonly used in the conflict.
Russian attacks killed six people in two Ukrainian cities on Sunday, Ukrainian officials said. A strike on a grocery store in Kharkiv killed three people and injured 20, including two children, the regional governor said. In western Ukraine, a Russian strike killed three people, officials said.
Trump announced the ceasefire on Sunday morning on Truth Social, writing that “effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine” and “Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!” The post offered no further details. Russia has not yet confirmed its agreement.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc would welcome a truce but only “when it holds.” “We haven’t yet seen that also Russia will stick to it,” she said at a meeting of EU foreign ministers. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said the EU should designate the Russian intelligence agency GRU as a terrorist organization. NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe Alexus Grynkewich is due to deliver a warning to Russia during a security conference in Warsaw over the alliance’s ability to counter any attack from Moscow. The Nobel memorial prize in economics, the final award in this year’s cycle, will be announced at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm.
Trump’s ceasefire announcement came two days after he announced an agreement to buy Russian diesel fuel that temporarily lifted US sanctions, prompting outrage from Ukraine and its European allies, who said it would embolden Moscow. The Financial Times quoted officials in Europe as saying the Trump administration is threatening to stop the procurement system that provides Ukraine with weapons in order to press Kyiv to halt its deep strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. They said the US was lobbying European capitals and Kyiv in an attempt to end the attacks on Russian oil refineries.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney added to the criticism on Sunday after a call with Zelenskyy, saying the diesel deal “is in direct opposition to the efforts of Ukraine, Canada and our allies to create peace and stability in Europe.” German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Berlin continued to “fully support” Zelenskyy. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen backed Ukraine’s president “as he leads the fight for his people’s freedom.”
Asked about criticism of the Russia diesel deal, Trump said it was “time for Ukraine to get a new president” who would finally settle the war. Zelenskyy pushed back, telling ABC News: “First of all, with all respect to President Trump, it’s up to our society, up to our people to choose one or another leader.”
Oil prices slipped on Monday on expectations of more Russian supplies after Trump’s truce claim. Brent crude futures fell 1.47% to $103.18 a barrel by 0154 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude was down 1.68% to $90.31.