Ukraine's President: Elections Possible During Ceasefire

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has indicated that elections could be held in the country if Russia guarantees a ceasefire. Zelenskyy presented this condition in an interview where he also commented on U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed "energy ceasefire" between Russia and Ukraine.

Zelenskyy stated he was not aware of Trump's "energy ceasefire" proposal in advance. However, he affirmed readiness to accept such an agreement if Russia consents. "If President Trump has negotiated this with Putin – please tell us when the ceasefire begins – we are ready and will accept it," the Ukrainian president was quoted by news portal Axios as saying.

Nevertheless, shortly after Trump's "energy ceasefire" announcement, the Ukrainian president accused Russia of attacking energy infrastructure in Ukraine. Zelenskyy reported that Russian forces attacked a power plant in Kyiv with a Shahed drone and targeted energy infrastructure in the Kharkiv region. He emphasized these strikes occurred after Trump's announcement.

Meanwhile, EU foreign ministers are preparing to approve new sanctions against Russia. The new sanctions are intended to target nearly 1,600 individuals and organizations connected to Russia's military-industrial complex. Additionally, punitive measures are planned against 77 actors involved in organizing the Duma elections in occupied Ukrainian territories.