In brief
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that six energy installations were hit within hours of an energy ceasefire declared by President Donald Trump. The strikes caused blackouts and the injury of 33 civilians, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov dismissing the ceasefire as unjustifiable for Ukraine. International reactions were mixed, with some European nations voicing support and others remaining skeptical. The incident highlights ongoing tensions, sanction adjustments, and the broader war dynamics.
After U.S. President Donald Trump announced an energy ceasefire intended to halt attacks on critical infrastructure, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that six energy facilities were struck within hours, leaving the pause aside.
Zelensky said the attacks hit gas stations and other energy infrastructure, causing blackouts in Izyum and damage to power grids in several eastern regions, and he highlighted the injuries sustained by 33 civilians.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov dismissed the ceasefire as a "respite" that Ukraine does not deserve, arguing that Russia will continue to engage in strikes that it considers legitimate for curbing Ukraine’s military capacity.
Internationally, the United Kingdom, France, Canada and the European Union voiced varying degrees of support for the pause, while some EU members, including Estonia, expressed doubts about its enforceability.
The episode underscores the tangled web of sanctions relief, increased energy prices ahead of U.S. midterms and the political calculus that surrounds both the ceasefire and the ongoing war.
