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A Russian oil refinery burns following a Ukrainian airstrike. / Reuters, Yonhap

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine agreed to a so-called "energy ceasefire" halting strikes on energy facilities. However, Ukraine stated it had no prior agreement, and Russia reportedly continued attacks on power plants afterward, raising growing questions over whether a truce has actually taken effect.

Trump announced on his social media platform Truth Social on the 11th (local time) that "an energy ceasefire has been reached in the war between Russia and Ukraine," adding that it took effect immediately. Urging neither side to violate the agreement, he added, "Both sides have agreed."

Trump did not disclose specific details, however, such as whether the halt in strikes encompasses all energy infrastructure—including power plants and oil refineries—or how long the ceasefire would last.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered a different account. Speaking to U.S. online outlet Axios about Trump's announcement, he said, "This is news to me," while adding, "If Russia agrees to an energy ceasefire, Ukraine will agree as well."

Zelenskyy later stated on social media that Ukraine supports a ceasefire but Russia must participate as well. Reuters reported that he said Kyiv is waiting for the U.S. to present specific details of the truce. This marks a sharp contrast with Trump's announcement that an agreement had already been finalized by both sides.

Russia has not officially confirmed whether it agreed to the ceasefire. Rather, Zelenskyy claimed in an evening video address that Russian forces continued air strikes on energy facilities even after Trump's announcement, including an attack on a combined heat and power plant in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city.

Russia and Ukraine have recently intensified strikes on each other's energy infrastructure. Russia launched large-scale attacks on Ukrainian power plants and power grids on the 30th of last month and the 7th of this month, causing blackouts in the capital Kyiv and other areas. Ukraine has also mounted repeated drone strikes against Russian oil refineries.

Citing rising global energy prices, Trump has recently pressured Ukraine to halt attacks on Russian refineries. On the 9th, he reached an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to supply large volumes of Russian diesel to the U.S. and global markets, announcing a partial easing of sanctions against Russia.

Zelenskyy criticized the Russian diesel deal as being "like a birthday present to Putin." Ukraine maintains that it cannot unilaterally halt strikes on Russian refineries while Russia continues attacking Ukrainian energy facilities.

Ultimately, for the energy ceasefire to actually take hold as Trump announced, formal Russian agreement and verification of a mutual halt in attacks will likely be required.

                                                                                                          Nam Mi-kyung