Zelensky accuses Russia of rejecting ceasefire as fresh strikes hit Ukraine

Ukraine on Wednesday accused Russia of effectively rejecting a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal, reporting a barrage of strikes on civilian infrastructure just hours after Moscow agreed only to pause attacks on the energy grid. Washington has been pushing for a full, 30-day ceasefire as a first step towards a wider settlement of the grinding three-year-old war. However, in a 90-minute call with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday, Russian leader Vladimir Putin refused, insisting that any such deal would be contingent on the West halting all military aid for Ukraine.

According to the Kremlin, Putin has already ordered his military to pause strikes against Ukrainian energy targets for 30 days. While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the proposed energy truce, he also said he needed more “details” from Washington. Explosions rang out, and air raid sirens wailed in Ukraine just hours after Trump and Putin spoke. Zelensky reported that Russian attacks targeted civilian infrastructure, including a hospital in Sumy, further exacerbating the crisis.

The highly anticipated Putin-Trump call also resulted in an announcement that Russia and Ukraine will exchange 175 prisoners each on Wednesday. Meanwhile, ceasefire negotiations are expected to continue on Sunday in Jeddah, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz leading the American delegation. Moscow has launched devastating attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure throughout the war, while Ukraine has used drones to bomb multiple Russian oil installations. Across the border, Russian emergency service officials said debris from a repelled Ukrainian drone attack ignited a fire at an oil depot in the village of Kavkazskaya.

Trump, who claims he has an “understanding” with Putin, has been seeking a breakthrough in the Ukraine war since returning to the White House in January. He stunned the world by announcing direct talks with Russia to end the conflict, sparking fears among allies that he was pivoting too far toward Moscow. The U.S. president hailed his latest call with Putin as “good and productive,” and the White House stated that the Russian leader had agreed to a 30-day ceasefire on energy infrastructure. However, Moscow also emphasized that a full truce would depend on Western military and intelligence support to Ukraine ceasing entirely.

Zelensky—who had accepted a full ceasefire proposal during talks in Saudi Arabia last week—lashed out at Russia for its reluctance to reach a deal. “They are not ready to end this war, and we can see that,” he said. The Kremlin also stated that Kyiv would not be allowed to rearm or mobilize during any ceasefire. In response, Zelensky asserted that Ukrainian troops would continue fighting in Russia’s Kursk region “as long as we need,” following major Russian advances in the area that Kyiv partially seized last year.

Russia claimed on Tuesday that Ukrainian forces attempted a ground assault on the Belgorod region but were pushed back, portraying it as an effort to undermine Trump’s negotiations. Trump remains intent on delivering his election pledge to end the war, blaming his predecessor Joe Biden’s policies for fueling the conflict. His approach has sharply diverged from years of U.S. policy staunchly supporting Ukraine, most notably in his heated televised exchange with Zelensky in the Oval Office.

Western allies remain skeptical that Putin is serious about a ceasefire. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to continue sending military aid to Ukraine, with Scholz declaring, “Ukraine can count on us.” On the front lines, Ukrainian soldiers also expressed doubts. “How can you trust people who attack you and kill civilians, including children?” said Oleksandr, 35, who has returned to military training in the Donetsk region after being wounded in combat.