Zelensky Accuses Putin of Violating Trump Agreement with Energy Strikes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claims Russian President Vladimir Putin broke a pledge made to Donald Trump by targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

Volodymyr Zelensky asserts that “Putin’s statements are significantly disconnected from reality” as he condemns the latest Russian assaults on Ukraine.

He accuses Russia of targeting energy infrastructure, despite Putin’s commitment to refrain from such actions for a period of 30 days.

In response, Russia’s defense ministry claims that Ukraine has attacked one of its oil storage facilities, labeling it a “deliberate provocation.”

During a phone conversation with Trump on Tuesday, Putin dismissed the idea of a complete ceasefire; Zelensky has indicated that he will discuss the details of this call with the US president later.

The United States has announced that discussions regarding Ukraine will resume on Sunday.

However, there is considerable skepticism in Ukraine regarding the potential for US-Russia negotiations to result in a ceasefire, as noted by our defense correspondent Jonathan Beale reporting from Sumy.

Ukrainian forces may have withdrawn from Russia’s Kursk region, yet they remain just across the border from Sumy.

In the city of Sumy, there has been persistent artillery fire audible in the distance. A significant military presence is evident, with personnel in uniform and armored vehicles visible on the roads.

Overnight, a Russian drone struck a hospital in Sumy city; fortunately, there were no reported injuries, as medical staff and patients had already taken cover.

There remains a profound skepticism within Ukraine that the discussions between Presidents Trump and Putin will yield any ceasefire, let alone peace in the foreseeable future.

One soldier, who had recently been engaged in combat in the neighboring Kursk region, characterized the talks as “absurd,” given the ongoing hostilities on the ground.