Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed former US President Donald Trump's statement regarding agreements on a temporary cessation of shelling of Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure facilities. The issue of the so-called "energy truce" was discussed during international negotiations involving Ukraine, the US and Russia in the United Arab Emirates.
In his message on the social network X, Zelensky stressed that he expects the US to ensure a real cessation of attacks on energy facilities and noted: the effectiveness of the agreements can only be assessed based on the actual situation on the ground. "Energy is the basis of life, and we appreciate the efforts of our partners to help us protect life. We expect that the agreements will be implemented. De-escalation steps contribute to real movement towards the end of the war," the head of state wrote.
Earlier, on January 29, Donald Trump said that he personally asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to temporarily stop shelling Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities due to abnormally low temperatures. According to Trump, this was a week-long period during which strikes on cities would be especially dangerous for civilians and critical infrastructure.
The talks in Abu Dhabi were the first serious attempt to discuss a temporary ceasefire regarding energy facilities. The American side proposed that Ukraine and Russia agree on a mutual refusal to strike energy infrastructure as a "good faith measure" and a step towards de-escalation amid the difficult peace talks.
Ukrainian representatives noted that Kyiv is ready to participate in such initiatives, even if they are temporary. The next meeting of the negotiating teams of Ukraine, the United States and Russia may take place as early as February 1, where they will continue discussions on security issues and the protection of energy infrastructure.
