Zelensky Condemns Russian Attacks Despite Trump’s Energy Ceasefire

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of blatantly ignoring a ceasefire on attacks against energy infrastructure that U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday. Despite the truce aiming to halt strikes on energy facilities, Moscow has continued missile and drone attacks, causing widespread damage and civilian casualties.

Trump Announces Unexpected Energy Ceasefire

On Sunday, President Donald Trump declared a unilateral truce between Kyiv and Moscow to stop attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure. The announcement took many by surprise, as neither side had previously agreed to such a ceasefire. Trump’s motivation was to ease high fuel prices ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, a politically sensitive issue in the United States.

Zelensky Highlights Russia’s Continued Attacks

President Zelensky stressed that while Ukraine was prepared to honor the ceasefire, Russia has flagrantly disregarded it. On Wednesday, Zelensky tweeted that Russia launched missiles and drones overnight targeting energy infrastructure, describing the attacks as “ostentatious disrespect toward the United States.”

Overnight Tuesday, Russia launched 39 ballistic missiles and 120 drones against energy sites in Kyiv, the surrounding Kyiv region, and the eastern Kharkiv oblast. At least three people were killed and 22 injured in a missile strike that hit residential buildings and power plants in Kyiv.

Russia’s ongoing bombardment has damaged 26 power facilities and four oil and gas sites, leaving at least 600,000 Ukrainians without power. Zelensky noted that Russia does not take the American President’s statements seriously.

Backlash Over Trump’s Diesel Deal With Russia

Alongside the ceasefire controversy, President Trump faces criticism for a deal announced on October 9 that allows Russia to export diesel to the U.S. This arrangement will gradually increase Russian diesel exports to 1 million tons per month until April, aiming to alleviate fuel prices in America.

However, bipartisan opposition has emerged. Twelve senators, including Republicans Mitch McConnell, John Cornyn, Thom Tillis, Lisa Murkowski, and Susan Collins, wrote to Trump on October 12, calling the deal a “gift to our adversary and a betrayal of our allies.” Former Vice President Mike Pence has urged Trump to rescind the agreement and apply stronger sanctions legislation named after Senator Lindsey Graham.

Ukrainian advocacy group Razom We Stand criticized the diesel deal, stating it “will do almost nothing for American drivers before the November 3 midterms, but it gives the Kremlin fresh revenue to keep bombing Ukrainian cities, resulting in massive civilian casualties.” Founder Svitlana Romanko added, “This deal will not bring U.S. pump prices down before November. What it brings is fresh cash for the missiles falling on Ukrainian homes every day.”

Russia’s Reaction and Kremlin Support

Russian state media welcomed the diesel deal as a significant boost for the Kremlin, which is expected to leverage it to further its military efforts in Ukraine. Business newspaper Vedomosti reported that while the deal does not stabilize relations or resolve the war, it shows President Trump was willing to engage in business with Moscow.

Political scientist Alexey Naumov, who runs the Telegram channel Vneshpol, told Vedomosti, “Such cooperation can be beneficial to the two states.”

President Trump’s announcement and subsequent deal have altered the dynamics of the conflict and drawn sharp criticism from U.S. lawmakers and Ukrainian officials alike. Meanwhile, Russia’s continued attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure underscore the fragility of the ceasefire and the ongoing human cost of the war.