'Don't Kill Our Children': Zelenskyy's Stark Warning as Trump Pushes Russia-Ukraine Energy Truce

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has offered to halt Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries if Moscow stops bombing his country's power plants, after Donald Trump claimed both sides had already agreed an 'energy ceasefire' even as Russian attacks continued to kill civilians.

Mr Trump said on Sunday, in a post on Truth Social, that 'both parties have agreed' to stop targeting each other's energy infrastructure, adding in capitals: 'Do not break it!' He gave no details of any agreement.

Ukrainian officials said Russian forces kept hitting energy sites in Kharkiv and Kyiv within hours. The Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office said on Monday that Russian forces struck an energy facility on the outskirts of the city after the post. Mr Zelenskyy said he first heard of the supposed deal from the media.

It is the second time in a month that Mr Trump has announced such a truce. He made a similar claim on 14 September, saying both countries had agreed not to hit each other's energy systems. Neither side confirmed it, and attacks continued.

Speaking to ABC's This Week, Mr Zelenskyy said Ukraine was ready to reciprocate. 'We are ready for energy ceasefire, not to attack energy, both sides,' he said, adding: 'Don't attack us. Don't kill our children. We will stop attack your diesel.'

Russia has spent years striking Ukraine's power plants, grids and heating facilities. Kyiv has described the campaign as 'weaponising winter.' Ukraine has in turn hit Russian refineries, which Mr Trump has blamed for rising diesel prices in the United States, where he faces criticism over fuel costs weeks before the midterm elections.

Mr Trump has also suggested Ukraine should 'get a new leader who can make a deal.' Mr Zelenskyy responded that it is 'up to Ukrainians' to choose their leader. He said he would be prepared to hold elections, which are suspended under martial law, if Vladimir Putin agreed to a 60-day nationwide ceasefire.

Europe Challenges Trump's 'Energy Ceasefire' Claim

Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign policy chief, said in Luxembourg on Monday that she would welcome any halt to attacks on Ukraine's grid before winter, but doubted Russia would comply.

'We haven't yet seen that also Russia will stick to it,' she told reporters. She said she would prefer a ceasefire that covered more than energy, one 'that would include people not being killed'.

Ms Kallas urged EU governments to maintain military and financial support for Kyiv. She spoke after Mr Trump reportedly agreed to lift US sanctions to allow Russian diesel onto world markets.

Several European foreign ministers questioned whether the arrangement would lower prices. Estonia's foreign minister, Margus Tsahkna, said it appeared 'much more connected to the domestic situation in the US' than to European security.

Zelenskyy Sets Terms for Energy Truce

Speaking to ABC's This Week, Mr Zelenskyy said Ukraine was ready to reciprocate. 'We are ready for energy ceasefire, not to attack energy, both sides,' he said, adding: 'Don't attack us. Don't kill our children. We will stop attack your diesel.'

Russia has spent years striking Ukraine's power plants, grids and heating facilities. Kyiv has described the campaign as 'weaponising winter.' Ukraine has in turn hit Russian refineries, which Mr Trump has blamed for rising diesel prices in the United States, where he faces criticism over fuel costs weeks before the midterm elections.

Mr Trump has also suggested Ukraine should 'get a new leader who can make a deal.' Mr Zelenskyy responded that it is 'up to Ukrainians' to choose their leader. He said he would be prepared to hold elections, which are suspended under martial law, if Vladimir Putin agreed to a 60-day nationwide ceasefire.

Drone Strikes Mount as Truce Talk Grows

The Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office said a Russian drone strike on Sunday evening hit the settlement of Pisochyn, killing three people and injuring nine, including children. It said the drone struck a densely populated area near apartment blocks and shops, starting a fire.

Ukraine's Air Force said it shot down or suppressed 89 of 121 Russian drones launched overnight into Monday. It reported strikes at 15 locations, with debris falling at four more.

Russia's Defence Ministry said its air defences intercepted 151 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions, occupied Crimea and the Black Sea. It also said it had attacked Ukrainian port infrastructure and a bulk carrier bound for Odesa, which it alleged was carrying military cargo. Neither side's claims could be independently verified.