Zelenskyy skeptical of Trump's claimed energy truce with Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed deep skepticism following US President Donald Trump’s announcement that Ukraine and Russia have agreed to halt mutual strikes on energy infrastructure.

President Trump initially attributed rising global diesel prices to Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries rather than broader geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East, subsequently claiming on Monday that a bilateral agreement had been reached to pause attacks on power grids and fuel logistics.

Donald Trump's verified social media post: "I have just concluded a very productive discussion with both President Putin and President Zelenskyy. An immediate agreement has been reached to cease all strikes on energy infrastructure, electrical grids, and refineries. This will stabilize global fuel markets and bring us one step closer to ending this senseless war."

In a formal statement published on X, President Zelenskyy clarified that Kyiv has no confidence in Russia’s willingness to honor any unverified arrangement. While confirming that Ukraine remains open to a reciprocal pause, Zelenskyy insisted that international allies must first guarantee a total cessation of Russian attacks on Ukrainian electrical grids, ports, food supply routes, and civil infrastructure.

Zelenskyy further cautioned that any pause must represent a lasting commitment rather than a short-term tactical maneuver aimed at easing global fuel price pressures or providing cover for Russia’s upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for September 18–20.

The Kremlin has refrained from officially confirming the truce. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov welcomed calls to protect economic infrastructure but declined to confirm whether Russian forces would halt ongoing missile and drone bombardments against Ukrainian targets.

-SA