No energy ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia yet - Semafor

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy downplayed an assertion by US President Donald Trump that Kyiv and Moscow had agreed to a ceasefire for mutual attacks on energy infrastructure. Although “there is now a strong US proposal” for an energy ceasefire, Zelenskyy tweeted on Monday, “so far, no one has seen any genuine desire on Russia’s part to move toward ending the war.”

Over the past few days, Trump and his top officials have sought to blame Ukraine’s strikes on Russian oil refineries for the recent runup in diesel prices, although analysts are clear that trade disruptions from the Iran war are a much more important driver. The reemergence of energy on the negotiating table indicates that as much as Ukraine is bracing for another cold, dark winter, it is also feeling empowered by its long-range drone campaign, which drove Russian oil production to a 17-year low and fuel imports to a high seven times greater than the previous record. Meanwhile, the US House is set to vote this week on the Russia sanctions bill championed by the late Sen. Lindsay Graham — but it could be undermined by drooping Republican support and growing Democratic opposition.