Energy Truce: Zelensky Accuses Russia of Violating It

The ceasefire on energy facilities that Donald Trump announced on Truth Social on Sunday, October 11, did not last into Monday. Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of violating it at the opening of the Warsaw Security Forum, and the Polish prime minister and the French president confirmed that there is no truce on the Russian side. For Serbia this is not a distant story: energy prices, already under pressure from the war the US and Israel are fighting against Iran, react to every strike on Ukrainian and Russian infrastructure, and Belgrade, as an EU candidate country, has not aligned its policy with the sanctions on Russia, so every new expansion of the list brings the alignment question back to the table.

Trump wrote on Sunday that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an energy ceasefire, adding the message “Don’t violate it!” According to Axios, Zelensky first said he knew nothing about it. The same day he said Ukraine was ready to stop attacking Russian refineries if Moscow stopped hitting Ukrainian energy. The announcement came two days after Trump temporarily eased American sanctions on Russian diesel, a move Kyiv and its European allies criticized.

What did Zelensky say in Warsaw?

The Ukrainian president addressed the forum by video link on Monday, the first day of the event, which runs on October 12 and 13. He immediately described what happened after Trump’s announcement.

“Right after the announcement, Russia deliberately attacked power plants in Kharkiv and caused further damage to Ukraine’s electricity system,” Zelensky said.

He repeated that Kyiv accepts the truce, but only if the other side accepts it too. “We agree to the terms of the ceasefire if Russia agrees to them,” he said. He added that no Russian refineries burned the previous night, while Russian Shahed drones hit factories in Ukraine, and that Ukraine is still waiting for the details of the deal between the Americans and the Russians. He closed with the line: “Russia is violating the terms of the ceasefire that Trump spoke about.”

He called on Washington to step in and ensure the truce is respected, warning that Kyiv will retaliate if Moscow does not agree.

What was the target of the overnight attack?

Sources differ on the target. Al Jazeera reports that Russian drones hit facilities of the state-owned Naftogaz used for gas production in the Kharkiv region, where a fire broke out. In his speech Zelensky mentions power plants in Kharkiv. Acting Naftogaz chief executive Sergiy Fedorenko wrote on Telegram that key equipment was damaged and that repairs are under way.

What do Tusk and Macron say?

Donald Tusk opened the forum with a sharp assessment of Russia’s response to Trump’s proposal. “Russia is not interested in a ceasefire or in peace, only in domination,” the Polish prime minister said. He also warned about politicians in Europe who call for cutting aid to Ukraine, saying of them: “Anyone who weakens Ukraine is working against their own people.” He announced that he will propose tighter sanctions at the European Council.

Tusk also said he draws hope from a conversation with US General Alexus Grynkewich, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, who is presenting the alliance’s new strategy at the forum. The prime ministers of Norway and Lithuania are also taking part in the forum.

Emmanuel Macron told reporters at a car show in Paris that in the past 48 hours he had not seen any energy ceasefire from the Russian side.

The European Union responds with sanctions

Brussels announced nearly 1,600 new sanctions the same day, aimed at the Russian military-industrial complex, including individuals and companies involved in the war. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas wrote that it is the largest single expansion of the list since the war began and that it is becoming harder, slower and costlier for Russia to produce weapons.

Zelensky stressed in his speech that Kyiv is still waiting for the terms of the truce, so what exactly Washington and Moscow agreed remains open.