Zelenskyy Vows Response on Grid Strikes as Trump Claims Energy Ceasefire
Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed in Warsaw on 12 October 2026 to retaliate if Russian strikes on Ukraine's power grid continue. The Guardian
He spoke by video link to European security officials at the Warsaw Security Forum. He told them: "If Russia does not agree to an energy ceasefire this winter, we will respond." An energy ceasefire means both sides stop attacking power plants, gas systems and oil refineries.
His warning followed an announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump of an energy ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow. Zelenskyy said on 12 October 2026 that neither side had agreed to it. He said he was "surprised" by Trump's post and that Ukraine learned through media reports that Trump had secured a ceasefire. The Washington Post The post appeared while Kyiv was under attack by Russian Shahed drones, low-cost exploding drones used to overwhelm air defenses.
Hours after Trump's announcement, Russia hit a power station in Kharkiv, while much of Kyiv lost power. Zelenskyy quipped, "It's clear that Putin does not read Truth Social." He said Russia violated the energy ceasefire announced by Trump. Reuters
Zelenskyy said on 12 October 2026 that he welcomed the U.S.-brokered energy ceasefire. CNBC At the same time, he said Ukraine had seen no evidence Russia had agreed to the proposal. He said Ukraine will stop targeting Russian energy sites only if Russia stops attacking Ukraine's power and gas infrastructure. Ukraine's presidency said Ukrainian services and the Air Force are ready to respond in connection with claims that a ceasefire has been secured.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on 12 October 2026: "We welcome the energy ceasefire when it holds" and "We haven't yet seen that also Russia will stick to it." Zelenskyy discussed the ceasefire announced by Trump with Mark Carney, Alexander Stubb and Mark Rutte.
Trump's proposal called for both Ukraine and Russia to halt strikes on oil refineries, the plants that turn crude oil into fuels. Trump said Zelenskyy should "damn well stop" hitting Russian refineries and said on Saturday that Ukraine needed a "new leader." Separately, Trump announced lifting sanctions on Russian diesel exports. Sanctions are trade penalties, and Trump said lifting them would lower global and U.S. fuel prices before the U.S. midterm elections.
Zelenskyy called the decision to lift sanctions on Russian diesel "weak." He said it would give Vladimir Putin "billions" in extra revenue. He said Trump's diesel supply deal with Russia would encourage more Russian attacks on Ukraine.
The broader context here is a negotiation carried out through public statements rather than signed deals. Kyiv wants a two-way exchange, its power grid for Russia's refineries. Washington wants a halt focused on refineries and links diesel sales to fuel prices. Brussels will wait for proof of compliance. The test is verification: who stops hitting what, for how long, and how violations are counted when announcements come before agreement.
