Trump's major ceasefire boast backfires almost immediately

President Donald Trump's announcement of an immediate ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine took an embarrassing turn on Monday after Moscow bombed a power plant in eastern Ukraine and declined to confirm the agreement.

The setback came less than a day after Trump claimed that both countries had agreed to an energy ceasefire

"Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!" Trump wrote on Truth Social. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov refused to back the president’s claim when reporters asked whether Russian President Vladimir Putin had accepted the proposal.

"Contacts continue. As soon as we have something to say on the matter, we will inform you," Peskov said, according to The Guardian.

Speaking at the Warsaw Security Forum on Monday, Zelensky revealed that several Ukrainian energy facilities and a power plant in Kharkiv were attacked following Trump's declaration.

The Ukrainian leader seemingly mocked Trump’s declaration on his social media platform.

"It was clear that Putin does not read Truth Social," Zelensky said, according to The Associated Press.

According to a BBC report, the attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure left the city of Izyum in darkness after the power grid was destroyed. Power cuts were also reported in Kharkiv, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhi.

Zelensky also said he had not received advance notice of the apparent agreement and learned of it only from the media. However, he said that Ukraine is willing to stop strikes on Russia’s energy infrastructure if they also agree to a ceasefire.

However, the Kremlin spokesperson flat-out rejected Zelensky's proposal for a 60-day ceasefire to allow Ukraine to hold presidential elections.

Peskov added that Moscow wants a permanent ceasefire agreement rather than a temporary halt, but he stopped short of rejecting Trump’s energy ceasefire proposal.

“In the Kremlin, both President Putin and officials at other levels have repeatedly stated that we do not want a ceasefire. We want long-term peace and are prepared to do everything possible ⁠to achieve it.“

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas was skeptical of the plan, saying there is no evidence Russia will honor the proposed ceasefire.

Trump’s announcement was followed by his controversial decision on Friday to ease restrictions on Russia’s diesel exports, a move Zelensky criticized, arguing it will help Moscow fund its war efforts. Trump responded to Zelensky by saying that Ukraine should “get a new leader who can make a deal."

Lawmakers from both parties also criticized Trump's move, arguing that easing restrictions could financially benefit the war effort.