Moscow/Kyiv: The Kremlin has welcomed US President Donald Trump’s call for Russia and Ukraine to halt attacks on each other’s energy facilities, after Trump said Kyiv had agreed to stop targeting Russian energy infrastructure.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described any effort to prevent attacks on civilian and economic infrastructure as a positive development. He also said countries with influence over Ukraine could encourage Kyiv to adopt a more flexible position as diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict continue.
Trump said in a post on Truth Social that Ukraine had agreed not to attack Russian energy targets and that Russia had agreed to follow the same approach. However, his statement did not provide details about how the understanding was reached, who was involved in the discussions or when the reported arrangement would take effect.
The announcement also fell short of declaring a broader ceasefire. Military operations unrelated to energy infrastructure would continue, leaving the wider Russia-Ukraine conflict unaffected by the reported commitment.
Questions also remain over the precise scope of the proposed arrangement. Trump did not specify whether oil and gas installations, power-generation facilities, electricity networks or other energy-related infrastructure would be covered. No details were provided regarding its duration, conditions, monitoring mechanisms or procedures for dealing with alleged violations.
Energy infrastructure has remained a major target during the conflict, with repeated attacks affecting power supplies and other essential services. Damage to energy facilities has also had wider consequences for civilian populations, particularly during periods of disruption to electricity, heating and water supplies.
Trump also linked rising diesel prices to the Russia-Ukraine war in the same post, attributing much of the increase to the conflict rather than developments involving Iran. He did not provide figures or supporting details for the claim.
The reported understanding comes amid continuing international efforts to find a diplomatic pathway towards ending the war. While the Kremlin’s response signals support for limiting attacks on energy infrastructure, the practical significance of the announcement will depend on whether Moscow and Kyiv implement the reported commitments.
For now, the development represents a potentially important but narrowly focused measure rather than a comprehensive ceasefire. Further clarification from both sides will be required to establish the exact terms and determine whether the arrangement can contribute to broader negotiations aimed at ending the conflict.
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