Trump Declares Immediate Energy Ceasefire Between Russia and Ukraine doomsday clock
US President Donald Trump announced an immediate energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine aimed at halting attacks on energy infrastructure, though Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed caution pending Russian compliance and details from Washington amid the doomsday clock.
Trump Announces Energy Ceasefire
US President Donald Trump made a surprise announcement of an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine that he said was effective immediately. [3] There was no word from Moscow on the ceasefire announcement. [3] Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that both parties had agreed. [3] Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was still waiting to see details of the deal. [3] Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine supports the ceasefire if Russia does too and is awaiting details from the American side. [3]
US Pressure and Diesel Deal Concerns
Trump's announcement followed days of intense pressure from the US for Ukraine to halt its attacks on Russian oil refineries. [3] Trump had warned Zelenskyy on Saturday that he had better stop attacking Russian refineries. [3] A person familiar with the situation said the US had threatened to cut off intelligence sharing with Ukraine as well as weapons procurement. [3] The ceasefire comes alongside a US-Russia diesel deal supplying more than 300,000 metric tons to markets. [3] Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen warned that the new diesel agreement between the United States and Russia could provide additional funding for Russia’s war in Ukraine. [2] Rasmussen stated it is regrettable if this secures additional revenue for Russia. [2]
Zelenskyy's Conditions and Counterarguments
Zelenskyy said Ukraine supports the ceasefire and it is important that Russia support it as well. [3] He had pushed back against calls for a unilateral end to Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries, repeating his position that he was willing to do so only if President Vladimir Putin suspended Russian strikes on Ukrainian power infrastructure. [3] Zelenskyy pushed back against calls for Ukrainian elections during wartime, offering to hold them only after a 60-day ceasefire agreed by Putin. [3] He rejected blame for global energy price rises citing the Iran war as a bigger factor. [3]
NATO's Warning to Russia doomsday clock
NATO's top commander is set to warn Russia on the alliance's ability to counter attacks amid concerns over hybrid sabotage campaigns. [5] US General Alexus Grynkewich, the alliance's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, will elaborate his theory of victory over any potential attack at a security conference in Warsaw. [5] Colonel Martin O'Donnell, a spokesman for the US general, said the Supreme Allied Commander Europe's theory of victory is simple: maintain NATO's advantage, which is consistent with and grounded upon the alliance's deterrence and defence plans. [5]
What to watch next
NATO officials have said the intervention is intended to send a signal to Moscow and reassure members on the alliance's eastern flank while allies brace for possible cuts to US forces in Europe. [5]
