Zelensky Warns Ukraine Will Retaliate if Russia Rejects Trump’s Energy Ceasefire Proposal

WARSAW (Terror Monitor) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned on Monday that Ukraine would retaliate if Russia failed to agree to an energy ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump, as Kyiv continued to report Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure despite Washington’s declaration.

Speaking via video address to a security forum in Warsaw, Zelenskyy said Ukraine welcomed Trump’s announcement but insisted that any halt to attacks on energy facilities must apply to both sides.

“If Russia does not agree to an energy ceasefire, we will respond,” Zelenskyy said.

He added that if Moscow wanted Ukraine to stop long-range strikes against Russian oil refineries and oil exports, Russia would have to stop attacking Ukraine’s energy system and critical infrastructure and cease killing Ukrainian civilians.

The Ukrainian president’s remarks highlighted uncertainty over the proposed arrangement, with Moscow yet to publicly confirm its acceptance and Kyiv reporting continued attacks on energy facilities following Trump’s announcement.

Trump Announces Energy Ceasefire but Provides Few Details

Trump said on Sunday that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an energy ceasefire in their war, which has continued for more than four years, according to the account provided.

The US president announced on social media that the ceasefire had taken effect immediately but did not explain its precise terms, duration or implementation arrangements.

“Don’t violate it!” Trump warned in his brief statement.

The announcement raised hopes of a limited reduction in attacks on energy infrastructure, which has been a major target throughout the conflict. However, the absence of publicly available details and an immediate confirmation from Moscow left questions about the scope and enforcement of the proposed halt.

It remained unclear whether the arrangement covered all energy-related targets, including power-generation facilities, electricity networks, oil refineries and export infrastructure, or whether additional conditions had been agreed between the parties.

Kyiv Reports Continued Attacks on Energy Infrastructure

Zelenskyy said Ukraine welcomed Trump’s initiative and described the announcement as “good news for everyone.” However, he maintained that Russian forces were continuing to target energy infrastructure in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, and Kharkiv, one of the country’s largest cities.

His comments suggested that Kyiv was seeking clarification on whether Russia would comply with the proposed ceasefire and whether the announcement would translate into an immediate reduction in attacks.

Energy infrastructure has remained central to the conflict, with strikes on power facilities and other critical sites threatening electricity supplies, heating and essential services. Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries and export infrastructure have also formed part of Kyiv’s efforts to disrupt Moscow’s war-related economic and logistical capacity.

Zelenskyy’s warning indicated that Ukraine would not unilaterally suspend its long-range operations if Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities continued.

Zelenskyy Calls for Reciprocal Halt to Strikes

The Ukrainian president argued that a meaningful energy ceasefire would require reciprocal commitments rather than restrictions imposed on Ukraine alone.

He said Russia must stop attacking Ukraine’s energy system and critical infrastructure if it expected Kyiv to halt long-range strikes against Russian oil refineries and oil exports.

Zelenskyy also linked the proposed arrangement to the protection of civilians, saying Russia would have to stop killing Ukrainians.

His remarks underscored Kyiv’s position that any reduction in attacks should be mutual and should include the infrastructure and civilian interests of both countries.

For Ukraine, a halt to Russian attacks could help protect electricity supplies and other essential services. For Russia, an agreement could potentially reduce Ukrainian strikes against oil-processing and export facilities that are important to its energy sector.

However, the two sides’ competing military objectives and the lack of publicly confirmed terms continued to complicate prospects for an effective arrangement.

Moscow Yet to Publicly Respond

Moscow had not immediately commented on Trump’s announcement, leaving uncertainty over whether the Kremlin had formally accepted the proposed ceasefire and what conditions it might attach to any agreement.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine had proposed several measures aimed at reducing tensions, but claimed Russian President Vladimir Putin had rejected them.

According to Zelenskyy, Putin’s response to those proposals had consistently been “no.”

The Ukrainian leader expressed hope that the Russian president would eventually adopt a different position in discussions involving the United States, Ukraine and the wider international community.

The absence of a clear public response from Moscow was a key obstacle to determining whether the proposed energy ceasefire had become an operational agreement or remained an announcement awaiting confirmation and implementation.

Energy Infrastructure Remains a Key Front in the War

Attacks on energy facilities have had significant implications for both countries throughout the conflict. Damage to electricity networks and power facilities can disrupt households, industry and essential services, while strikes against oil refineries and export infrastructure can affect fuel production, transport and revenue.

A sustained halt to such attacks could reduce pressure on critical infrastructure and create an opening for broader diplomatic efforts. However, without clearly defined terms, mutual commitments and a mechanism for addressing alleged violations, the proposal could face difficulties in implementation.

Zelenskyy’s warning made clear that Kyiv intended to respond if Russian attacks continued without a reciprocal halt.

For now, the key questions remain whether Moscow will publicly accept the proposal, which facilities would be covered and how compliance would be assessed.

Although Trump’s announcement raised the prospect of a limited pause in attacks on energy infrastructure, the lack of confirmation from Russia and Ukraine’s reports of continued strikes left the proposed ceasefire’s status uncertain.