Zelenskyy Agrees to U.S.-Brokered Energy Ceasefire Deal/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is ready to observe a U.S.-brokered ceasefire on energy infrastructure. The limited agreement follows three days of talks between U.S., Russian, and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia. Russia has claimed compliance but continues to link the Black Sea deal to sanctions relief.
Energy Ceasefire Deal Quick Looks
- Zelenskyy confirms Ukraine will halt attacks on energy targets.
- U.S.-mediated agreement aims to reduce hostilities for 30 days.
- Russia demands sanctions relief in return for Black Sea cooperation.
- Kremlin insists Putin’s March 18 strike moratorium is being upheld.
- Ukraine accuses Russia of violating the ceasefire with ongoing drone strikes.
- Kryvyi Rih suffers major drone attack; no casualties reported.
- Black Sea navigation and export routes included in peace talks.
- U.S. pledges to aid Russian agricultural market access under deal.
Zelenskyy Agrees to U.S.-Brokered Energy Ceasefire Deal
Deep Look
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine will begin observing a U.S.-brokered ceasefire focused on energy infrastructure, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed Tuesday night, even as skepticism mounts over Russia’s intentions and compliance.
Speaking in a national video address, Zelenskyy said Kyiv had agreed with American negotiators to begin an immediate halt on strikes targeting energy facilities, as part of a temporary pause in fighting brokered during three days of separate U.S.-led talks with both Ukraine and Russia in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
However, Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine’s military remained on alert and would respond forcefully if Russia continued to violate the agreement.
“We are ready. But if Russia continues to target our energy infrastructure, our retaliation will be strong,” Zelenskyy said.
U.S.-Brokered Talks Yield Limited Agreements
The ceasefire on energy targets emerged from broader discussions aimed at achieving a 30-day reduction in hostilities, including a return to safe commercial shipping in the Black Sea.
In joint statements, the White House said the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia agreed to:
- End attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure.
- Prevent military use of commercial vessels.
- Ensure safe maritime navigation through contested waters.
Though not a formal peace agreement, the announcements signaled a potential thaw in battlefield tensions, following last week’s phone calls between President Donald Trump, President Vladimir Putin, and President Zelenskyy.
Still, critical disagreements remain. Notably, Russia has linked resuming cooperation in the Black Sea to the lifting of financial sanctions—particularly on the Russian Agricultural Bank and its access to SWIFT, the global payment system.
Ukraine Rejects Kremlin’s Conditions
Zelenskyy pushed back against Moscow’s demand to tie ceasefire compliance to sanctions relief.
“There are absolutely clear statements from the White House. The Kremlin is lying again when it says the Black Sea ceasefire depends on sanctions,” Zelenskyy said.
The U.S. did acknowledge in its statement that it would work to:
- Restore Russia’s ability to export food and fertilizers.
- Lower maritime insurance costs.
- Improve Russian access to global ports and financial transactions.
But White House officials stressed that those measures are contingent on continued de-escalation.
Russia Says It’s Complying—Ukraine Disagrees
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin’s order from March 18 to halt energy infrastructure strikes was still in effect and claimed Russian forces were observing the pause—accusations Ukraine disputes.
Zelenskyy’s adviser, Dmytro Lytvyn, said Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy sites never stopped, citing eight confirmed strikes since the March 18 agreement.
“They’ve been hitting our power plants with bombs and drones. Every night our defenses are intercepting dozens of attack drones, many aimed at our grid,” Lytvyn wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Zelenskyy’s Hometown Suffers Record Drone Attack
Despite the ceasefire announcement, Kryvyi Rih, Zelenskyy’s hometown, was hit by the “most massive kamikaze drone attack since the beginning of the war,” according to local official Oleksandr Vilkul.
The overnight attack caused widespread damage to:
- Administrative buildings.
- Industrial facilities.
- Warehouses and a fire station.
“Everyone is alive, thank God. It’s truly a miracle. The destruction is significant,” Vilkul wrote on Telegram.
There were no deaths or injuries, but fires broke out across the city. Meanwhile, drone strikes also targeted Sumy, Cherkasy, and Kirovohrad regions.
Ukraine’s air force reported 117 drones launched overnight, of which 56 were destroyed and 48 jammed by electronic countermeasures.
What’s Next?
Peskov said the Kremlin is “satisfied” with the tone of recent U.S.-Russia discussions, and that contacts will continue, though no concrete plans exist yet for direct talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. in a single session.
Meanwhile, officials on all sides remain cautious.
The U.S. appears to be navigating a narrow path, balancing de-escalation with strategic pressure, while Moscow seeks economic leverage, and Ukraine pushes for both security guarantees and accountability.
With both Kyiv and Moscow continuing limited military operations, the Riyadh agreements could mark the first steps toward broader diplomatic breakthroughs—or yet another fragile truce doomed to unravel.
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