Kiev is showing no intention of abiding by the US-proposed “energy ceasefire,” Russian Deputy PM Aleksandr Novak says
Ukraine targeted two Russian oil refineries on Wednesday, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Novak has said.
The facilities are in Russia’s Saratov and Ryazan regions, Novak said on the sidelines of the Russian Energy Week forum. He did not specify whether either refinery sustained damage.
“We can see that the Ukrainian side is making no moves towards an energy ceasefire,” Novak said, referring to a limited ceasefire between Moscow and Kiev proposed by US President Donald Trump.
On Sunday, Trump claimed that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an immediate energy ceasefire. Neither Moscow nor Kiev, however, has confirmed the truce, sending out mixed messages on the matter.
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky said the announcement “was news” for him, but expressed readiness to stop attacking Russian refineries should Moscow halt strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also declined to confirm the deal, stating that contacts were still ongoing. Peskov also reiterated Moscow’s longstanding position that Russia seeks a long-term peace agreement rather than a temporary truce.
The US president has also accused Zelensky of seeking to “make problems” for the US and the whole world by ignoring demands to stop its attacks on Russian oil refineries.
“Russia supplies a large portion of the diesel fuel throughout the world. And we told him, do whatever you want, but don’t hit the diesel fuel,” Trump said last week. “And what does he do? He goes and hits the diesel fuel. He can do whatever he wants, but he can’t do that. He’d better damn well stop.”
On Friday, the US eased its restrictions on Russia’s diesel trade, allowing it to be sold, delivered, and imported into the US until April 7, 2027.
According to Trump, Moscow agreed to immediately supply more than 300,000 metric tons of diesel, followed by another 500,000 metric tons in November, and 1 million more shortly thereafter. Novak confirmed the figures, saying Russia will move to lift its own export restrictions immediately.
According to US media reports, Trump struck the deal after Zelensky repeatedly ignored demands to stop attacking Russian oil refineries. The US president accused the Ukrainian leader of exacerbating the global fuel crisis.
Kiev reportedly asked the US what it would get for stopping its attacks on Russian refineries. The Trump administration suggested that Kiev is receiving enough help and is in no position to demand more.
