Russia hit several Ukrainian power plants on Sunday, hours after US President Donald Trump said both sides had agreed to stop attacking each other’s energy sites, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Zelensky said a drone struck a power plant in Kyiv and caused outages in the capital.
He later reported a strike on the CHP-5 power plant in the eastern city of Kharkiv.
“Ukrainian skies have been infested with Russian ‘shaheds’ all day,” he added, referring to a type of drone.
Trump had announced on Sunday morning that an energy ceasefire was in force “effective immediately.” He wrote on Truth Social, “Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!” He gave no further details.
Zelensky expressed surprise and said he was seeking more information. Russia has yet to confirm that it agreed.
Meanwhile, Zelensky said on Facebook that Ukraine supports the ceasefire, after speaking with the leaders of Canada, Finland and NATO.
The announcement came two days after Trump eased US sanctions on Russian diesel for a limited period.
Ukraine and its European allies were angry, arguing that the move only emboldened President Vladimir Putin. Zelensky called it a “weak decision.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also criticised the deal after a call with Zelensky.
He said it “is in direct opposition to the efforts of Ukraine, Canada and our allies to create peace and stability in Europe.”
Trump has blamed Ukraine’s strikes on Russian refineries for rising diesel prices, which threaten his party in next month’s elections. On Saturday, he said it was “time for Ukraine to get a new president.”
Zelensky pushed back in an interview with ABC News. “With all respect to President Trump, it’s up to our society, up to our people to choose one or another leader,” he said.
He added that fuel prices were rising because of the war in the Middle East and the blocking of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Germany’s foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, said Berlin continues to “fully support” Zelensky. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also backed him.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Paris supports a “real energy ceasefire.” However, he said Russia continues to refuse one and has intensified its strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure.
In Kyiv, residents voiced concern over Trump’s remarks. “We Ukrainians decide our own fate and our own freedom, and we are free people,” said Olesia Goncharuk, 40.
