Trump’s ‘energy ceasefire’ sparks confusion as Russia strikes Ukraine
WASHINGTON
asserted
Russia → spark → Ukraine
- US President Donald Trump sowed confusion on Oct 11, announcing an “energy ceasefire” between Ukraine and Russia that sparked astonishment in Kyiv, silence from Moscow and support from Ukraine’s Western allies.
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that → sow → allies
But the ceasefire appeared shaky at best as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia struck multiple Ukrainian power plants on Oct 11, including one in the capital and another in Kharkiv, leading to power outages and outrage.
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Russia → appear → outages
Trump’s announcement came two days after he declared a temporary easing of US sanctions on Russian diesel, prompting outrage from European allies and Kyiv, who said it would only embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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it → come → Putin
“Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine,” Trump said early on Oct 11 on Truth Social.
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Trump → be → Social
“Both parties have agreed.
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parties → agree → ?
Zelensky appeared to express surprise at the announcement, saying he was seeking further details, but added that “Ukraine supports the ceasefire, and it is important that Russia support it as well”.
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Russia → appear → it
Russia has yet to confirm its agreement.
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Russia → have → agreement
Zelensky later said that multiple Ukrainian power stations had been hit and that “Ukrainian skies have been infested with Russian ‘shaheds’ all day,” referring to a type of drone originally designed by Iran that is now used extensively by Russia.
Since launching a full-scale invasion of its neighbour in 2022, Russia has systematically hit Ukrainian energy infrastructure, leading to energy and heating shortages – prompting Ukraine to hit back at Russian oil refineries it says fund the war.
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it → say → war
More recently, Trump’s war in Iran has led to oil shortages and ensuing price spikes, creating major headwinds for his Republican Party ahead of midterm elections early next month.
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war → lead → elections
The ceasefire appeared to garner support on Oct 11 from Ukraine’s key western allies, including Britain, France, Canada and the European Commission.
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ceasefire → appear → Britain
Several leaders called on Russia to uphold the deal.
But that support was in contrast to broad criticism of the US-Russia diesel deal earlier in the week, which has led to mounting tensions between Trump and Zelensky.
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which → call → Trump
Zelensky said the diesel deal was a “weak decision,” while several of Ukraine’s European allies expressed outrage and pledged to increase pressure on Moscow.
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several → say → Moscow
Seven US senators – including four Republicans – released a statement on Oct 11 blasting the diesel deal with Russia, saying it was illegal.
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it → include → Russia
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney added to the chorus on Oct 11 after a call with Zelensky, saying the diesel deal “is in direct opposition to the efforts of Ukraine, Canada and our allies to create peace and stability in Europe”.
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deal → add → Europe
Asked about the criticism on Oct 10, Trump said it was “time for Ukraine to get a new president” who would finally settle the war.
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who → ask → war
Zelensky pushed back, telling ABC News that “it’s up to our society, up to our people to choose one or another leader”.
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it → push → leader
He said that fuel prices were rising because of the war in the Middle East and the blocked Strait of Hormuz.
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prices → say → Hormuz
“Everybody understands it,” he said.
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he → understand → it
Support for Zelensky
On Oct 11, Germany’s foreign minister said that Berlin continued to “fully support” Zelensky.
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Berlin → say → Zelensky
“Europe needs stability and that means that we are very clearly continuing to stay by the side of Ukraine and its government,” Johann Wadephul said in Berlin.
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Wadephul → need → Berlin
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen also backed the Ukrainian leader “as he leads the fight for his people’s freedom”.
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he → back → freedom
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham also said his country “strongly supports President Trump’s call today for a sustained energy ceasefire to start now”.
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ceasefire → say → call
In Kyiv, several residents expressed concern about Trump’s call for Zelensky to be replaced.
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Zelensky → express → call
“I believe our president is the best, and Americans should think about their own president,” said 40-year-old Olesia Goncharuk.
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Goncharuk → believe → president
“We Ukrainians decide our own fate and our own freedom, and we are free people,” she told AFP.
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she → decide → AFP
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