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WASHINGTON, United States: US President Donald Trump sowed confusion on Sunday, announcing an \u201cenergy ceasefire\u201d between Ukraine and Russia that sparked astonishment in Kyiv, silence from Moscow and support from Ukraine\u2019s Western allies.<\/p>\n
But the ceasefire appeared shaky at best as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia struck multiple Ukrainian power plants on Sunday, including one in the capital and another in Kharkiv, leading to power outages and outrage.<\/p>\n
Trump\u2019s announcement came two days after he declared a temporary easing of US sanctions on Russian diesel, prompting outrage by European allies and Kyiv, who said it would only embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin.<\/p>\n
\u201cEffective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine,\u201d Trump said early Sunday on Truth Social. \u201cBoth parties have agreed. Do not break it!\u201c<\/p>\n
Zelensky appeared to express surprise at the announcement, saying he was seeking further details, but added that \u201cUkraine supports the ceasefire, and it is important that Russia support it as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Russia has yet to confirm its agreement.<\/p>\n
Zelensky later said that multiple Ukrainian power stations had been hit and that \u201cUkrainian skies have been infested with Russian \u2018shaheds\u2019 all day,\u201d referring to a type of drone originally designed by Iran that is now used extensively by Russia.<\/p>\n
Since launching a full-scale invasion of its neighbor in 2022, Russia has systematically hit Ukrainian energy infrastructure, leading to energy and heating shortages \u2014 prompting Ukraine to hit back at Russian oil refineries it says fund the war.<\/p>\n
More recently, Trump\u2019s war in Iran has led to oil shortages and ensuing price spikes, creating major headwinds for his Republican Party ahead of midterm elections early next month.<\/p>\n
\u2018Up to our people\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n The ceasefire appeared to garner support on Sunday from Ukraine\u2019s key western allies, including the UK, France, Canada and the European Commission.<\/p>\n Several leaders called on Russia to uphold the deal.<\/p>\n But that support was in contrast to broad criticism of the US-Russia diesel deal earlier in the week, which has led to mounting tensions between Trump and Zelensky.<\/p>\n Zelensky said the diesel deal was a \u201cweak decision,\u201d while several of Ukraine\u2019s European allies expressed outrage and pledged to increase pressure on Moscow.<\/p>\n Seven US senators \u2014 including four Republicans \u2014 released a statement Sunday blasting the diesel deal with Russia, saying it was illegal.<\/p>\n Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney added to the chorus on Sunday after a call with Zelensky, saying the diesel deal \u201cis in direct opposition to the efforts of Ukraine, Canada and our allies to create peace and stability in Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n Asked about the criticism on Saturday, Trump said it was \u201ctime for Ukraine to get a new president\u201d who would finally settle the war.<\/p>\n Zelensky pushed back, telling ABC News that \u201cit\u2019s up to our society, up to our people to choose one or another leader.\u201d<\/p>\n He said that fuel prices were rising because of the war in the Middle East and the blocked Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n \u201cEverybody understands it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Support for Zelensky<\/strong><\/p>\n Germany\u2019s foreign minister said Sunday that Berlin continued to \u201cfully support\u201d Zelensky.<\/p>\n \u201cEurope needs stability and that means that we are very clearly continuing to stay by the side of Ukraine and its government,\u201d Johann Wadephul said in Berlin.<\/p>\n EU chief Ursula von der Leyen also backed the Ukrainian leader \u201cas he leads the fight for his people\u2019s freedom.\u201d<\/p>\n UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham also said his country \u201cstrongly supports President Trump\u2019s call today for a sustained energy ceasefire to start now.\u201d<\/p>\n In Kyiv, several residents expressed concern about Trump\u2019s call for Zelensky to be replaced.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe our president is the best, and Americans should think about their own president,\u201d said 40-year-old Olesia Goncharuk.<\/p>\n \u201cWe Ukrainians decide our own fate and our own freedom, and we are free people,\u201d she told AFP.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n