Why Trump's Ukraine-Russia energy truce failed: Key reasons revealed
Donald Trump (photo: Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump's statement about an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine was intended to mean a halt to attacks on oil refineries first, followed by other energy infrastructure, according to an anonymous White House official, citing Axios.
The official said that if attacks on oil refineries stop, the next step could be an agreement to halt strikes on power plants and energy grids.
Commenting on new ceasefire details from US officials, a Ukrainian official emphasized that the proposed terms were one-sided. Ukraine has only one oil refinery, which Russia has attacked repeatedly.
The facility in question is the Kremenchuk oil refinery, which has been unable to resume operations for a long time due to constant attacks. Russia, meanwhile, has numerous refineries that fuel the Kremlin's war machine.
"We import diesel and gas. What we need is for the Russians to stop attacking our electricity grid," an unnamed Ukrainian official said.
Axios quoted a Trump representative in response, saying that "the Russians are thinking about it" and that it would soon become clear whether they were willing to agree.
Trump is furious
The US official also stressed that Ukraine's attacks on Russian oil refineries are harming relations between Trump and Zelenskyy more than they are hurting Russia itself.
"Trump is really mad. He feels Zelenskyy is taking the US for granted," the White House official said.
Trump announces energy truce
On October 11, Trump announced an energy ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, which was supposed to mean a halt to attacks on both sides' energy infrastructure.
However, Russia later struck a power plant in Ukraine's Kharkiv, undermining the US president's announcement.
Moreover, Trump urged the Ukrainian people to elect a president other than Zelenskyy, arguing that the Ukrainian leader "never makes deals."
