Zelensky Warns of Continued Russian Energy Strikes Despite Ceasefire Proposals

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russian energy strikes persist despite recent ceasefire declarations by former U.S. President Donald Trump, raising doubts about Moscow’s commitment to protecting critical infrastructure.

Speaking at the Warsaw Security Forum, Zelensky said Ukraine has refrained from attacking Russian energy sites since Trump’s announcement, yet Moscow has continued to target Ukrainian facilities, including a power plant in Kharkiv, a gas production site, and a civilian gas station hours after the ceasefire was proclaimed.

Zelensky expressed frustration, stating, “I’m not sure that Putin is ready.” He reiterated that an energy ceasefire must be reciprocal: “When we speak about energy ceasefire, it means only one thing: that they don’t attack our energy infrastructure and we don’t respond on their energy infrastructure.”

Trump declared the energy ceasefire effective immediately via social media on Sunday, adding “Do not break it!” However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to confirm Russia’s acceptance, saying only that diplomatic contacts are ongoing.

The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, voiced similar skepticism, telling member-state foreign ministers in Luxembourg that there is no indication Russia will honor the ceasefire. She argued any pause should encompass an end to killings, not merely energy attacks.

Trump’s reported deal to import diesel from Russia to lower U.S. fuel prices ahead of midterm elections has drawn bipartisan condemnation. A bipartisan group of six U.S. senators, including four Republicans, urged the administration to reverse course, warning the United States should not provide Putin with a financial lifeline while Russia continues attacks on Ukrainian civilians.

Kallas also rejected Trump’s suggestion that Ukraine needs a new president, stating that elections are not viable during active hostilities, especially with Russia intensifying day-and-night strikes.

Zelensky said holding elections is impossible at present, but he would consider the process if a full ceasefire of at least 60 days were secured. In response, Peskov indicated Putin would halt strikes only on election day, dismissing the 60-day proposal as a window for Ukraine to “gather their strength, heal their wounds, and continue the war.”

Humanitarian impacts continued Monday night, when a Russian drone struck a 25-story residential building in Kyiv’s Darnytskyi district, killing at least one woman and injuring five others. Earlier attacks in the same district caused fires and injured two people. A separate drone strike on the village of Pisochyn in the Kharkiv district Sunday evening killed three people and injured nine, including children, hitting a densely populated area near apartment buildings and grocery stores.

Ukrainian air defense forces intercepted 89 of 121 Russian drones overnight Monday, the Air Force reported in a Telegram post. The attack included one Kh-59 guided air-to-surface missile and 76 jet-powered Shahed-type drones. Strike zones were recorded at 15 locations across Ukraine, with debris from downed drones falling at four sites.

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses overnight intercepted 151 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions, annexed Crimea, and the Black Sea. Separately, the ministry said its forces carried out drone strikes on Ukraine’s port infrastructure and a bulk carrier heading to Odesa with military cargo on board.

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