Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of continuing attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure despite a ceasefire announced by Donald Trump. According to Deutsche Welle, Ukraine’s president made the accusation on Monday 12 October during a video address to the Warsaw Security Forum, a security conference in the Polish capital. He also said he had learnt of the US president’s announcement through the media.
Trump announced an immediate energy ceasefire — a halt to attacks on energy infrastructure — on social media on Sunday 11 October. According to DW and The Guardian, he claimed that Russia and Ukraine had both agreed to it. Zelensky’s remarks on Monday, however, reveal a discrepancy between that assurance and the Ukrainian leader’s position: the announcement was news to him. We reported on Trump’s energy ceasefire declaration on Sunday.
Reports of attacks on Kharkiv
The Guardian reports that Zelensky described a Russian strike on a power station in Kharkiv and further attacks on energy infrastructure. DW, meanwhile, cites Kharkiv’s mayor as saying that at least 12 people were injured in attacks on energy facilities.
The accusation that the ceasefire was breached remains the Ukrainian president’s position, rather than an independently established violation of terms agreed by both sides. The media reports do not set out the text of an agreement or the detailed rules governing it. Nor can all the Sunday attacks described by The Guardian be placed after Trump’s announcement.
Kyiv seeks guarantees
According to DW, Zelensky expressed willingness in principle to support a halt to attacks on energy infrastructure. However, he stressed the need for security guarantees and assurances from the United States that Russia would observe the ceasefire. His remarks were therefore not a rejection of the idea of protecting energy infrastructure, but a demand that the declaration be backed by guarantees of compliance.
Kaja Kallas also responded cautiously to the announcement. DW reports that she said the European Union would welcome an energy ceasefire if it were respected, but that she had not yet seen signs that Russia would observe it. The crucial distinction remains between announcing a pause in attacks and putting it into practice.
