The Kremlin: We prefer to work on a “permanent peace” with Ukraine rather than a ceasefire

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On Monday, the Kremlin refused to confirm the validity of an agreement with Ukraine to stop mutual targeting of energy facilities.

The Kremlin said it would prefer to work on a "permanent peace" with Ukraine rather than a ceasefire.

Yesterday, Sunday, US President Donald Trump suddenly came out to announce an agreement between Ukraine and Russia to immediately stop targeting oil refineries in the two countries.

The development came after Trump demanded twenty-four hours earlier for the departure of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and less than 48 hours after he agreed with Russian President Vladimir Putin that Moscow would supply diesel to the American and global markets in exchange for lifting some sanctions on Russia.

Suddenly and without any introduction, Trump wrote in a post on the “Truth Social” platform, on Sunday, that the two sides had reached an agreement, and that “as of now, there is a ceasefire in the war between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed to this. Do not break it!”

Although Zelensky said he was surprised by the announcement, he expressed his willingness to agree to the American proposal, provided that the truce is mutual and with “real guarantees,” that is, punitive measures against Moscow by Kiev’s allies, including Washington, according to the British newspaper The Guardian.

The Ukrainian president told Axios: “If President Trump has negotiated with Putin, tell us when the ceasefire begins. We are ready and will accept it.”

Zelensky earlier rejected Washington's call for Kiev to stop bombing Russian oil refineries, saying Moscow must end attacks on his country's energy infrastructure first.

While there were no signs of the Kremlin's commitment to the ceasefire announced by Trump, Zelensky questioned Moscow's intentions, pointing to the continuation of Russian strikes, which he described as "brutal," including several air strikes targeting energy infrastructure.