Russia has violated energy ceasefire, says Zelensky

Russia has violated an energy ceasefire announced by US President ⁠Donald Trump, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky said, urging Washington to step in to ensure that Moscow abided by the terms of the putative agreement.

Russia attacked ⁠gas production facilities of Ukraine's state oil and gas company Naftogaz in Kharkiv region overnight, ‌causing ⁠a fire, the company said.

"The attack damaged critical equipment. Our employees ‌are doing everything possible to ⁠repair ‌the damage as quickly as possible ⁠and ‌prevent risks to the stable operation ⁠of the energy system," Naftogaz ⁠acting CEO Sergii Fedorenko said on Telegram.

"There were Russian violations of ‌the energy ⁠ceasefire announced by President Trump," Mr Zelensky told a security conference in Warsaw via video link.

"We are waiting for the details of the conditions ‌between the Americans and Russians, and we are waiting ⁠to see one specific step ‌the Americans are ready to take," said ⁠Mr Zelensky, who ‌said he had learned about the ceasefire deal from the media.

"This energy ceasefire, ⁠it can work, and it can ⁠become a major step toward ending the war if the Americans truly step in now and make sure Russians respect it."

"If Russia does not agree to an energy ceasefire, we will respond," Mr Zelensky told the Warsaw Security Forum.

Mr Trump sowed confusion when he announced an energy ceasefire between the two warring countries without providing details, sparking astonishment in Kyiv, silence from Moscow and support from Ukraine's Western allies.

The announcement yesterday came two days after he declared a temporary easing of US sanctions on Russian diesel, prompting outrage by European allies and Ukraine, who said it would only embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"If Russia wants us to stop our long-range strikes against its oil refineries and oil exports, then Russia must stop its strikes against our energy system and critical infrastructure and stop killing our people," Mr Zelensky said.

Mr Trump has previously taken to his Truth Social account to announce truces or other arrangements before either Ukraine or Russia confirmed them.

"An energy ceasefire and other steps to reduce escalation and guarantee security are truly needed here in reality, not just on Truth Social," Mr Zelensky said.

French President Emmanuel Macron said he had not noticed "any energy truce on the Russian side".

There can only be progress "if there is a real truce on both sides," Mr Macron told reporters, saying "the facts show Russia has continued to bomb energy infrastructure (in Ukraine) in the last hours".

"There is currently no factual reason to change our position. Russia is continuing to bomb both civilians and infrastructure in Ukraine," he added.

"We say 'yes' to seeking an energy ceasefire and resuming peace talks.... but 'no' to giving in to the Russian threat," he said.

Meanwhile, the European Union formally added almost 1,600 new individuals and entities to its sanctions blacklist over Russia's war on Ukraine.

"This is the single largest expansion of our sanctions list since Russia started its war. Europe is again showing a united front. More than half are connected to the production chain for ballistic missiles," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said.