Zelensky: Energy ceasefire possible, but Ukraine will retaliate if violated

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Wednesday that a ceasefire halting energy strikes in the ongoing war with Russia could be established swiftly, though he warned that Ukraine would retaliate if Moscow violated the terms of the limited truce.

During a briefing following his first conversation with US President Donald Trump since their tense Oval Office meeting, Zelensky mentioned that Ukraine would compile a list of key infrastructure facilities that could be included in a partial ceasefire agreement, which the US would help broker. This list might cover not only energy but also rail and port infrastructure.

zelensky's comments came a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to Trump and agreed to pause attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. However, Zelensky cautioned that until a formal document outlining even a partial ceasefire is agreed upon, the conflict will likely continue. He emphasized that drone and missile attacks would persist unless an agreement is reached.

As Zelensky's briefing concluded, reports from local authorities indicated a large-scale drone attack on the central Ukrainian city of Kropyvnytskyi. Footage circulating on social media showed fires and significant damage to apartment buildings, as well as harm to rail infrastructure. Some injuries were also reported in the attack.

Describing his phone call with Trump as “probably his most substantive and positive” yet, Zelensky remarked that he did not feel pressured during their talks. This contrasted with the tense atmosphere of their previous meeting on February 28, which spiraled into a heated argument over a minerals deal.

When asked about Trump visiting Ukraine, Zelensky confirmed that he still welcomed the idea and believed it would be beneficial to the US president’s efforts to end the war.

Upcoming talks to address ceasefire details

Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy, announced that another round of talks between Russian and US officials is scheduled to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday. However, it remains unclear if Ukraine will be part of these discussions.

Zelensky mentioned that Ukrainian and US officials might meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to discuss the technical aspects of the ceasefire. He expressed interest in understanding how the partial ceasefire would be monitored but was optimistic that it would succeed if the US took the lead.

Additionally, the US administration noted that Trump had suggested the possibility of the US running, and potentially owning, Ukraine’s nuclear power plants and energy infrastructure. Zelensky confirmed that their conversation focused specifically on the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine. H

e added that Kyiv would be open to discussions about US involvement in modernizing and investing in the plant if it were returned to Ukrainian control.

Zelensky also stated that he did not believe Putin would agree to a full ceasefire as long as Ukrainian troops remained in Russia’s western Kursk region. Ukrainian forces had launched an incursion into Kursk in August last year but were pushed back during a multi-stage Russian operation.

In a final update, Zelensky confirmed that Ukraine had received new supplies of F-16 fighter jets, though he declined to disclose the exact number or timing of the delivery.