Trump Premature on Russia-Ukraine Energy Ceasefire — SkimNews
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- Trump announced on September 14 that Ukraine agreed to stop striking Russian energy infrastructure and Russia would reciprocate, but Financial Times sources say the claim was premature.
- Ukraine has spent months pushing for a mutual pause on strikes against energy and other critical infrastructure, but Russia rejected the proposals and intensified attacks instead.
- Putin does not want an energy deal before winter, Kremlin sources told FT, believing that strikes on energy facilities during cold months could force Kyiv into concessions.
- Two senior Ukrainian officials believe Trump's announcement was aimed at American voters frustrated by rising fuel prices, to show he was actively working on lowering costs.
- On September 13, Trump publicly called on Ukraine to stop hitting Russian refineries, citing rising global diesel prices — one day before the ceasefire claim.
- Zelensky confirmed Ukraine's readiness for such a deal but expressed doubt Russia would honor any agreements; Moscow has not commented at all on Trump's announcement.
Why it matters: Trump's premature ceasefire claim risks undercutting Ukraine's months-long diplomatic push for a genuine energy pause. With Putin explicitly betting on winter strikes to extract concessions and Moscow refusing to even acknowledge the deal, the gap between Trump's headline and ground truth leaves Kyiv weaker going into the cold months.
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