Ukrainian President Zelenskyy posted today: "Since the U.S. president announced an energy ceasefire a week ago, Russia has deliberately targeted Ukraine’s energy and oil and gas infrastructure 76 times. Last night alone, substations in Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi, and Odesa oblasts were struck. Tens of thousands of households remain without power. Energy workers and repair crews are operating nearly around the clock in efforts to restore electricity.
Nighttime attacks also hit residential buildings across multiple regions of Ukraine. To date, 12 people have been injured, including two children, and two others have died. I extend my condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased. This morning, a farm enterprise in Volyn Oblast was attacked; emergency response teams have arrived on site and are conducting operations.
Over the past week, Russian forces have launched nearly 2,700 attack drones, 1,700 aerial bombs, and 66 missiles—most of them ballistic—targeting Ukraine. The primary objective has been energy infrastructure, with the intent to trigger widespread blackouts. The United States should recognize that Russia has not matched any easing of sanctions or related agreements with equivalent de-escalation measures. On the contrary, Moscow appears to interpret every signal of potential gain as confirmation that it can continue the war with confidence.
The root of the conflict lies in Russia’s position, not Ukraine’s legitimate right to self-defense. A sustainable peace can only be achieved through sustained pressure on Russia. I thank all those who understand the situation and have offered support."
Commentary: Zelenskyy’s remarks, ostensibly a factual account of ongoing Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and civilian casualties, serve as a veiled message directed at Trump, indirectly criticizing the U.S. unilateral decision to declare an energy ceasefire and ease sanctions against Russia. The underlying intent is to signal to both American and European audiences that U.S. concessions have not prompted reciprocal restraint from Moscow—instead, they have enabled Russia to consolidate economic gains, thereby sustaining its capacity for further attacks. From Zelenskyy’s perspective, Trump’s proposed diplomatic framework demands unilateral Ukrainian restraint without binding constraints on Russia, rendering such an arrangement inherently unbalanced and incapable of delivering lasting peace. By publicly detailing military and civilian losses, he seeks to maintain European support for Ukraine while simultaneously applying pressure on U.S. domestic opinion, aiming to compel a reversal of the current trajectory toward reduced sanctions and diminished defense aid. This reflects deeper strategic divergence between Washington and Kyiv: while the Trump administration prioritizes its own negotiation objectives, energy interests, and midterm electoral considerations, Ukraine remains focused on securing its national security.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1879377406803083/
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