Published: | Updated:
Volodymyr Zelensky has said it is 'increasingly clear' Russia does not want a ceasefire on energy infrastructure after strikes continued to hammer Ukraine's facilities.
The Ukrainian president dismissed Vladimir Putin's offer of a one-day ceasefire and ignored the threats of a furious Donald Trump.
After Kremlin missiles hit an oil refinery, causing widespread blackouts in Kyiv, Mr Zelensky wrote on X: 'Unfortunately there were strikes on our energy infrastructure today and on our energy infrastructure yesterday. All day long there have been air raid alerts across Ukraine.'
The Russian attacks came within hours of the US President announcing the ceasefire would be 'effective immediately'.
This appeared to come as a surprise to the Ukrainian leader, who said the ceasefire was 'news to me', but that Ukraine would observe it if Moscow agreed.
Russia has since struck Ukrainian energy facilities six times. Ukrainian officials also said yesterday that a Russian strike on a high-rise residential building in a Kyiv suburb had killed two people and injured at least seven.
A firefighter kneels amid smoke and debris at the site of a Russian drone attack in the Darnytskyi district of Kyiv
Surveillance footage shows vehicles parked on a street as debris falls during an explosion from a Russian strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine
A medical worker helps an injured man at the site of a Russian drone strike on a residential building in Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine
Mr Zelensky continued on X: 'If these strikes are indeed Russia's response to the US President's statement, it means the Russians have squandered yet another opportunity to bring peace closer.
'A lot depends on America's position for de–escalation to actually succeed. Pressure on Russia is needed. We continue to communicate with the American side at all levels.'
As attempts to negotiate a truce descended into farce, Mr Putin offered a one-day ceasefire to Ukraine so it could hold elections in relative safety. The country has been under martial law since Russia invaded in 2022, meaning elections are suspended.
Mr Putin's offer was a cursory response to Mr Zelensky's request for 60 days for the same purpose.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: 'If they truly want to hold elections in Kyiv then the president of Russia, the commander–in–chief, will be ready to give an order not to launch strikes on Ukraine on election day, specifically on election day.'
After Mr Zelensky suggested a two-month ceasefire, Russia's foreign minister said Ukraine doesn't deserve the 'respite' it would bring. Sergey Lavrov said a break in fighting would allow European allies to 'pump [Ukraine] with new weapons'.
He suggested Mr Zelensky had 'faked' his surprise at Mr Trump's announcement, and accused him of using 'any words, any initiatives' to get a ceasefire.
'I don't think he deserves a respite,' Lavrov said. The Kremlin is determined to oust Mr Zelensky, an ambition seemingly shared by Mr Trump, who has lashed out at the Ukrainian leader.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pays tribute to victims of a Russian strike on the city of Pryluky and speaks with people affected by the attack
The US President has grown increasingly frustrated with Mr Zelensky, threatening to cut off Ukraine's weapons supplies.
A Kremlin spokesman said it 'likes the US stance on Ukraine' after Mr Trump's intervention.
Prior to announcing the latest 'ceasefire', Mr Trump shocked allies by announcing the purchase of 'hundreds of thousands of tons' of Russian diesel.
After Mr Zelensky criticised that as a 'gift' to Mr Putin, Mr Trump said it was time for Ukraine to 'get a new leader who can make a deal'.