New Russian strikes follow Trump's announcement of Russia-Ukraine energy ceasefire
· France 24US President Donald Trump said in a brief statement Sunday that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to halt strikes on each other's energy infrastructure.
Read moreUkraine says ready to halt refinery strikes if Moscow stops energy attacks
"Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!" he wrote on his Truth Social network, without adding further details.
Zelensky quickly responded to Trump's announcement, stating during an interview with news outlet Axios that the ceasefire was "news for me".
While Russia made no verbal response to Trump's remarks, any possible semblance of an alleged ceasefire seemed shortlived, with Zelensky reporting several Russian strikes on Ukraine in the hours that followed.
"The Russians struck a power plant in Kyiv with a 'shahed' drone," Zelensky said in a social media post, adding that strikes on other energy facilities followed in the Kharkiv region.
"And all of this happened AFTER the President of the United States made his statement about an energy ceasefire," he added.
Read moreHybrid warfare: The threat of Russia looms over the Mediterranean
A Russian strike occurred near a grocery store in Kharkiv – Ukraine's second largest city and a frequent target of Moscow's attacks – killing three people and injured nine, Regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov said on Telegram.
In western Ukraine, the mayor of the city of Ivano-Frankivsk said a Russian attack killed two people, according to a Reuters report.
Elaborating on Trump's initial comments before the new attacks, Zelensky said "The ceasefire announcement was news for me. But if Russians agree to an energy ceasefire Ukraine will agree. If president Trump negotiated it with Putin – please tell us when the ceasefire begins – we are ready and we will accept it," according to a report by Axios.
In a post on the Telegram app, he shared "Ukraine supports the ceasefire, and it is important that Russia support it as well. We are awaiting details from the American side," noting that he had discussed Trump's announcement with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Finnish President Alex Stubb.
"For our part, Ukraine always FULLY supports steps toward de-escalation, the protection of lives, and the decisions needed to end the war and guarantee lasting peace," Zelensky said.
European leaders also responded to Trump's earlier comments.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that France supports a "real energy ceasefire" between Ukraine and Russia, and EU Chief Ursula Von der Leyen said she extended "full support" to the Ukrainian leader, AFP reported.
Read moreRussia launches major attack on Ukraine’s energy grid, causing power cuts
Earlier Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated that his country would be ready to stop targeting Russian oil refineries if Russia curbed its attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
Zelensky's comment came amid a spat between Trump and the Ukrainian leader, who had denounced a US move to temporarily ease sanctions on Russian diesel.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and Reuters)