Ukraine war briefing: No energy ceasefire until Russia stops, Zelenskyy confirms after Trump claim

Moscow would need to commit ‘honestly and on a long-term basis’ to peace before Kyiv would de-escalate. What we know on day 1,665 Ukraine will only halt attacks on Russian energy targets if the enemy does likewise and the US guarantees it, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. The announcement came after Donald Trump’s uncorroborated claim that both sides have agreed to such a ceasefire. Neither Ukraine nor Russia had said so at time of writing.

The US president regularly claims to have brokered what turn out to be nonexistent or extremely shortlived deals between foreign adversaries or with his own overseas enemies, such as Iran. Ukraine’s president said: “So far, no one has seen any genuine willingness on Russia’s part to bring the war to an end.

But if our American partners can secure Russia’s genuine readiness to end the war aimed at destroying lives, and to do so honestly and on a long-term basis, Ukraine will take its own de-escalatory steps.” Russia would need to stop attacking Ukraine’s critical infrastructure for its intentions to be taken seriously, Zelenskyy suggested. It comes after Trump tried to blame diesel shortages and high prices on Ukraine’s strikes on Russian oil refineries.

The main cause is Trump’s own war on Iran – the retaliation for which has crippled the trade in Middle East oil. Russia has banned diesel exports to address dire shortages at home caused by Ukraine’s attacks. But those exports comprise only a fraction of global supply , and the situation...

Read the original report at The Guardian.