Russia-Ukraine Energy Infrastructure Cease-Fire Violated Within Hours
ollowing a phone call between U.S. President Trump and Russian President Putin last Tuesday, a 30-day cease-fire targeting energy infrastructure was announced. However, both Russia and Ukraine accused each other of violating the agreement within hours. Russia launched 150 drones at Ukrainian energy sites and hospitals, while Ukraine targeted a Russian oil depot.
Despite the escalation, a 175-prisoner swap went ahead, with Russia also releasing 22 wounded Ukrainian soldiers. European allies remain skeptical of Putin’s intentions, while Trump continues pushing for broader peace talks in the Middle East.
The fragile cease-fire has effectively collapsed, reinforcing skepticism about Russia’s intentions. The prisoner swap offers a rare point of progress, but the overall situation remains volatile. While Trump continues to pursue peace talks, Russia’s actions suggest a preference for military leverage over diplomatic compromise. European nations are likely to respond with stronger support for Ukraine and increased energy diversification efforts.
