Donald Trump has claimed that Russia and Ukraine agreed to an “energy ceasefire” to immediately halt attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure.
It comes after the US president’s deal to obtain diesel from Russia opened a fresh rift with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky.
Mr Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday: “Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!”
He did not give any further details.
Mr Zelensky said it was “news for me” but that Ukraine would agree if Russia did, according to news site Axios.
He said he was willing to organise elections in Ukraine if Russia stuck to a 60-day ceasefire, in another interview with US broadcaster ABC.
The US president had said it was “time for Ukraine to get a new president” after Mr Zelensky objected to the US deal announced on Friday to obtain millions of tonnes of diesel from Russia, saying it would extend the war.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has reiterated his “complete solidarity” with the Ukrainian leader and plans to meet him in person in the coming days.
Mr Trump is under pressure to bring down fuel prices ahead of November’s midterm elections that will decide control of Congress.
Diesel prices have rocketed in recent months because of the disruption to global supplies caused by the US-Israel war against Iran and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting told Sky News on Sunday morning: “Let’s be candid about this: midterms are coming up, cost of living is an issue.
“No doubt President Trump is feeling the same pressure that lots of leaders are facing in terms of wanting to ease cost-of-living pressures, energy prices.”
Mr Streeting also sought to play down the effect the move has on US support for Ukraine, saying people should not “overstate the impact”.
He told the BBC: “We actually do a lot of procurement with and through the United States to support Ukraine with things like missile defences.
“There is clearly a big effort being led by the United States on the diplomatic track.
“So, let’s not overstate the impact of President Trump’s decision on purchasing oil from Russia, and let’s not also understate US support for Ukraine.”
The UK has pledged to maintain pressure on Russia through tough sanctions after the move from Mr Trump, which comes after the US leader signed a sweeping Russia sanctions law just last month aimed at clamping down on the oil and gas revenues that fuel Moscow’s war against Ukraine.
Donald Trump has said that Ukraine needs to get a new president (Liam McBurney/PA)
PA Wire
The Prime Minister told Mr Zelensky he recognised it had been a “difficult” 24 hours for Ukraine when they spoke on Saturday and pledged the UK would take further action to “constrain the Russian war machine”.
Mr Zelensky had criticised Mr Trump’s deal, saying it “plays into Russia’s hands” and would prolong the war.
The US president, meanwhile, lashed out at the Ukrainian leader on Saturday, suggesting Mr Zelensky had not done enough to end the war with Russia.
Speaking at the White House, he said: “I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal″, adding that “for some reason (Zelensky) never does”.
He added: “I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president.”
Elections have been suspended in Ukraine since the war broke out in 2022 and the country was put under martial law.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said Mr Trump was “wrong” to make the deal with Russia and for his comments about the Ukrainian leader.
She said: “Ukraine’s freedom is not President Trump’s to bargain away.
“He is wrong to ease sanctions on Russian diesel, wrong to blame President Zelensky for prolonging Putin’s war and wrong to undermine a nation fighting for its right to exist.
“Russia is the aggressor. Always has been. Reward Russia and we should expect to see more aggression, including from other countries.
“We can also kiss goodbye to any just and lasting peace. This is why Conservatives have stood with Ukraine against Putin. Ukraine’s future belongs to Ukrainians.
“They alone have the right to choose their president and we stand with President Zelensky because he fights not for himself, but for the survival of his country and his people.”