President Donald Trump said that Russia and Ukraine agreed to an “energy ceasefire” on Sunday, shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy promised new Ukrainian elections in exchange for a 60-day ceasefire.
Zelenskyy’s remarks came one day after Trump suggested Zelenskyy should step down and criticized the war-weary leader for ordering attacks on Russian oil refineries amid a U.S. deal to ease sanctions on Russia for its diesel.
“I know that Putin wanted very much to change the president in Ukraine,” the Ukrainian leader said in a Sunday interview on ABC News. He noted that “President Trump really wants to have some changes” in Ukraine, too.
“So please tell Putin, give us two months — 60 days of total ceasefire, 60 days, and we will organize elections,” Zelenskyy said. “Of course, we will be ready for any choice of our people.”
Moments later, Trump announced the new energy ceasefire. The White House did not elaborate on details of the ceasefire.
Zelenskyy said in a statement posted to X that he was awaiting details of the proposal from the Trump administration, but urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to join him in supporting it.
“Ukraine supports the ceasefire, and it is important that Russia support it as well,” he said, adding that he had discussed the ceasefire proposal with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, President Alexander Stubb of Finland and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
Trump has characterized a deal with Russia — which has been met with bipartisan backlash — as a strategy to bring down gasoline and diesel prices, which have skyrocketed as a result of his unpopular war with Iran. The national average diesel price in the U.S. as of Sunday was $6.28, according to motorist group AAA. Last year’s average was $3.67.
“I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal, because he could have made many deals, and for some reason, he never does,” Trump said Saturdy, adding that “I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president.”
Trump warned that Zelenskyy “better damn well stop” as he headed to Tennessee to campaign for Republicans who are struggling against competitive challengers. Zelenskyy vowed to continue striking Russian oil refineries until “Russia stops striking our energy infrastructure.”
“The real cause of the war in Europe is Russia and Russia alone. It is possible to stop strikes on energy infrastructure as early as today, but Putin does not want to do so,” Zelenskyy wrote in an X post Sunday.
The post Trump announces Russia-Ukraine energy ceasefire after Zelenskyy response appeared first on MS NOW.
From MS Now.

Leave a Reply