Trump doubts Putin ещ accept energy ceasefire, media reports
Photo: US President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump personally doubts that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin will agree to stop strikes on energy infrastructure before the start of winter, according to the Kyiv Independent.
Sources familiar with the peace talks said Washington continues to pressure Kyiv and Moscow to agree to a mutual pause in attacks on energy facilities. The issue has become one of the key topics in recent negotiations aimed at ending the war.
Trump has publicly called on Ukraine to stop strikes on Russian energy infrastructure.
"Mr. Zelensky has to do one thing. He has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia," the US president said.
Zelenskyy, for his part, said Kyiv would support an energy ceasefire. Russia called the proposal a "good idea," but has not publicly expressed its readiness to accept it.
At the same time, Trump's doubts differ from the assessment of his team. After their latest trip to Russia, the president's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner returned with the impression that an agreement to halt attacks on energy facilities was possible.
"Donald is not as confident as his team,," one of the sources told the outlet.
A White House spokesperson said Trump "remains optimistic" about reaching a peace deal, while not denying reports of his doubts about an energy ceasefire.
"The United States continues to play a constructive role in speaking to both sides in working towards bringing the war to an end," the spokesperson said.
According to a Kyiv Independent source, Ukraine has also received certain signals from Russia indicating Moscow's willingness to consider an energy ceasefire. However, the details of these signals have not been disclosed.
Energy ceasefire
As a reminder, media reports previously said that the US was not abandoning the idea of a trilateral meeting with representatives of Ukraine and Russia to reach an agreement on an energy ceasefire. Abu Dhabi could host the meeting.
At the same time, the Institute for the Study of War said Russian dictator Vladimir Putin may rely on long-range strikes in winter and therefore is unlikely to agree to restrictions on attacks against energy infrastructure.
Earlier, Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal said Ukraine had received two documents from the special services detailing Russia's preparations for strikes on energy infrastructure in winter. According to him, the Russian side had identified specific targets, as well as the types and quantities of weapons to be used in the attacks.
At the same time, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine was ready for an energy ceasefire. Kyiv is ready to refrain from striking Russian energy facilities if Moscow also stops attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
