Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday that Ukraine would support a U.S. proposal to halt attacks on Russian energy infrastructure but warned that Moscow was using the negotiations to delay and weaken Kyiv.
The White House earlier confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin had accepted U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal for a 30-day pause in strikes on Ukrainian and Russian energy facilities. Speaking at an online briefing, Zelenskyy said Ukraine was prepared to back the agreement.
“Our side (would) support this,” he told reporters when asked about the ceasefire proposal, adding that he would welcome any move toward a “stable and just peace.”
Ukraine has launched drone strikes on Russian oil refineries in an effort to undermine Moscow’s war effort, while Russia has repeatedly bombarded Ukraine’s power grid, causing blackouts and damaging gas production sites.
Zelenskyy, however, suggested that Russia was not fully committed to the ceasefire. He pointed out that since Kyiv agreed in principle to the deal at talks in Jeddah last week, Russia has intensified its bombardments.
“Russia has launched more than 1,300 guided bombs, eight missiles, and nearly 600 long-range drones at Ukraine since the talks in Saudi Arabia,” he said.
Ukraine had already proposed the idea of halting attacks on energy infrastructure during those negotiations, he added.
Despite the energy ceasefire agreement, Moscow did not grant Washington the unconditional 30-day truce it had sought. Zelenskyy said Russia’s latest demands, including an end to Western military and intelligence assistance for Ukraine and limits on Kyiv’s military draft, were designed to weaken Ukraine.
The Ukrainian leader said he had spoken with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz following Trump’s phone call with Putin and hoped to discuss the situation directly with the U.S. president.
“I think it will be right that we will have a conversation with President Trump and we will know in detail what the Russians offered the Americans or what the Americans offered the Russians,” he said.
Zelenskyy also sought to reassure Ukrainians that Western military aid would not be cut.
“We are in constant communication. I am confident that there will be no betrayal from our partners and that the assistance will continue,” he said.
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Australia has finalised a AU $2 billion ($1.3 billion) purchase of U.S. made supersonic missiles, reinforcing its commitment to defence investment while stopping short of U.S. calls to adopt a higher military spending target.
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a reduced 20% tariff on many Vietnamese exports, down from a previously planned 46%, in what he described as a new trade framework with Hanoi.
China’s northern and western provinces are on high alert for flash floods and landslides as intense monsoon rains continue to overwhelm defences, killing at least seven and displacing communities across the country.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 3rd of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The U.S. economy faces a 40% risk of recession in the second half of 2025, JP Morgan analysts said on Wednesday, citing rising tariffs and stagflation concerns.
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck off Japan’s Tokara Islands on Wednesday, with no tsunami warning issued but residents advised to remain vigilant.
The United States has rescinded licensing restrictions on ethane exports to China, allowing shipments to resume after a temporary halt and signalling progress in efforts to ease recent trade tensions.
The European Commission is set to propose allowing carbon credits from other countries to count towards the EU’s 2040 climate target, according to a leaked internal document.
China has ramped up efforts to protect communities impacted by flood control measures, introducing stronger compensation policies and direct aid from the central government.
A British Royal Navy F-35 fighter jet that has remained grounded in southern India since mid-June may soon be dismantled and transported back to the UK, as repair efforts continue to stall.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on the European Union to resolve its tariff dispute with the United States swiftly to safeguard critical industries like cars, steel, and pharmaceuticals.
The World Health Organization has called for a 50% price increase on sugary drinks, alcohol, and tobacco over the next decade, pushing for taxation as a means to reduce chronic diseases and raise funds for health systems.
The European Union has raised Ukraine's electricity export capacity by 38.5%, enabling the country to generate additional revenue to repair energy infrastructure damaged by Russian attacks.
Portuguese footballer Diogo Jota, a forward for Liverpool, has died in a car crash in Spain at the age of 28, just days after his wedding.
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