Kyiv awaits clarification on the proposed truce as Moscow remains silent; India’s Black Sea peace initiative and Russian diesel deal add to diplomatic stakes
Washington, October 2026 : Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday said Kyiv was ready to support an “energy ceasefire” announced by US President Donald Trump, but stressed that Russia must also agree to the arrangement. Ukraine is awaiting further details from Washington, while the Kremlin had not publicly confirmed the proposed truce by midday.
“Ukraine supports the ceasefire, and it is important that Russia support it as well. We are awaiting details from the American side,” Zelensky wrote on X after speaking with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
He said Ukraine had consistently supported initiatives aimed at reducing hostilities, protecting civilians and creating conditions for a lasting peace.
“For our part, Ukraine always fully supports steps toward de-escalation, the protection of lives, and the decisions needed to end the war and guarantee lasting peace,” Zelensky added.
Trump announced the proposed arrangement on his Truth Social platform, declaring that an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine would take effect immediately. The White House subsequently repeated the announcement on X, describing it as an immediate halt to attacks on energy targets.
However, Trump did not specify when the agreement had been reached, which facilities would be covered, how long the arrangement would remain in force or what mechanism would be used to monitor compliance. Moscow had not issued a public confirmation by midday Sunday.
Zelensky initially indicated that he had not received prior information about the announcement. Speaking to Axios shortly after Trump's post, he said the declaration had come as news to him but maintained that Ukraine would agree if Russia accepted an energy ceasefire.
A senior Ukrainian official separately told the Kyiv Independent that Kyiv had no information about the arrangement and questioned whether Moscow had been informed.
The uncertainty came as Ukraine renewed its call for reciprocal restraint. Earlier on Sunday, Zelensky said Kyiv would be prepared to stop attacking Russian oil refineries if Moscow halted strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, according to the Associated Press.
“Ukraine will be ready to stop striking Russian oil refineries if Russia stops striking our energy infrastructure,” he said.
The proposal comes amid continuing attacks on energy facilities since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Both countries have repeatedly targeted infrastructure linked to electricity generation, fuel production and energy distribution, making the protection of such facilities a significant issue in efforts to limit the war's economic and humanitarian consequences.
Trump's announcement also followed his disclosure two days earlier of an understanding with Russian President Vladimir Putin to release Russian diesel into American and international markets. The move drew criticism from Ukrainian representatives, European officials and lawmakers from both major US political parties.
On Saturday, Trump criticised Zelensky over Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian refineries and said Ukraine should “get a new leader who can make a deal”. His comments highlighted continuing disagreements over the course of the war and the terms under which a settlement might be pursued.
There was also uncertainty over an earlier ceasefire announcement. Last month, Trump said on Truth Social that Russia and Ukraine had agreed not to attack each other's energy targets. Axios reported at the time that neither side confirmed the reported arrangement, while attacks on energy infrastructure continued.
India’s interests in the proposed truce
India has a direct economic and diplomatic interest in efforts to reduce attacks on energy infrastructure and restore stability to commercial shipping routes.
New Delhi has proposed a three-part truce covering attacks on energy facilities and other infrastructure, the continued movement of grain and energy through Black Sea ports, and an end to strikes against commercial shipping, the Hindustan Times reported on October 7, citing people familiar with the proposal.
According to the newspaper, Black Sea ports account for nearly 30 per cent of Russian energy flows to India, underlining the importance of maritime security and uninterrupted trade for New Delhi.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on October 7 that India was seeking to contribute constructively to efforts to address immediate concerns on both sides.
“India is trying to be helpful, starting with the Black Sea safety of shipping issue, addressing immediate concerns of Russia and Ukraine on grain and energy exports and non-attack possibilities,” Jaiswal said.
There was no immediate reaction from New Delhi to Trump's latest announcement.
The proposed ceasefire and the Russian diesel arrangement have also renewed scrutiny in the United States of Washington's approach to India's purchases of Russian oil. The diesel announcement came less than a month after Trump signed legislation authorising tariffs of up to 100 per cent on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, including India.
Whether the latest declaration leads to a sustained reduction in attacks remains uncertain. Its implementation will depend on the terms communicated by Washington, Russia's response and the willingness of both sides to observe a reciprocal halt to strikes on energy infrastructure.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
