Volodymyr Zelensky has agreed to stop striking Russian oil refineries after Donald Trump sprung a surprise deal on him – but only if Vladimir Putin ends his attacks on energy infrastructure.
The Ukrainian President said it was "news for me" after Trump claimed to have negotiated an "energy ceasefire" between the warring leaders. But he said he was happy to abide by it if Russia agrees. The development came less than 24 hours after Trump called for Mr Zelensky to be toppled. He was furious after the Ukrainian leader criticised him for reaching a deal to buy oil from the Kremlin – undermining sanctions against Putin.
Trump's surprise announcement
Trump is desperately seeking to convince American voters he can tackle rising fuel prices ahead of crucial midterm elections as his popularity plummets. Last week he struck an agreement to buy oil from Russia – but experts swiftly pointed out the minuscule amount would last just a few hours on the US market.
On Sunday Trump posted on his Truth Social platform: "Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!"
Zelensky's response
Mr Zelensky told US news network Axios the announcement "was news for me". However he added: "But if Russians agree to an energy ceasefire, Ukraine will agree."
He later posted on X: "Ukraine supports the ceasefire, and it is important that Russia support it as well. We are awaiting details from the American side. For our part, Ukraine always FULLY supports steps toward de-escalation, the protection of lives and the decisions needed to end the war and guarantee lasting peace."
He made the pledge after Trump launched an astonishing attack on Saturday, claiming it was "time for Ukraine to get a new President". The US President demanded Ukraine ends its strikes on oil refineries, complaining about rising prices.
UK reaction
It is the latest fallout between the US and the Ukrainian leader, who last year faced a sickening pile-on in the Oval Office. Responding to this weekend's escalation, Wes Streeting said the UK will "try to bring our friends back together".
The Defence Secretary said Britain supports the Ukrainian president – while also voicing his disappointment that the US President had struck the oil deal. He told the BBC: "The choice as to who leads Ukraine is one for the Ukrainians." And he continued: "In terms of what we've seen overnight, it's not the first time that we've seen a public disagreement between Washington and Kyiv."
"And when these things happen, we see it as our responsibility as the UK to try and bring our friends back together again."
Last week Trump said Putin had agreed to release 300,000 tonnes of diesel to the US and global marketplace. Experts pointed out this would amount to just 15 hours of US consumption, while Mr Zelensky said the deal was a gift to Putin.
The US has experienced sharp rises in fuel costs – and Trump is accused of seeking to blame others after his war in the Middle East led to sharp price rises. Mr Streeting said: "Let's be candid about this, midterms are coming up, cost of living is an issue, and no doubt President Trump is feeling the same pressure that lots of leaders are facing in terms of wanting to ease cost of living pressures."
He added: "I think it's just a political reality, isn't it, that cost of living is high on the public agenda in this country, elsewhere, and no doubt President Trump wants to respond to that."
"We would obviously prefer a stronger approach on sanctions, but one of my observations – I've been in this job now for a few months – one of my observations is that people often talk down the US contribution that they're making to the Ukrainian war effort, but whether it's through procurement, the weapons supply, whether it's the diplomatic track, I've found the US administration to be highly engaged on Ukraine."
In Saturday's astonishing attack on Mr Zelensky, Trump said: "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"
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said Mr Trump was "wrong" to make the deal with Russia and for his comments about the Ukrainian leader. She said: "Ukraine's freedom is not President Trump's to bargain away."
"He is wrong to ease sanctions on Russian diesel, wrong to blame President Zelensky for prolonging Putin's war and wrong to undermine a nation fighting for its right to exist."
"Russia is the aggressor. Always has been. Reward Russia and we should expect to see more aggression, including from other countries."
