Newsblog on the Ukraine War: Trump announces "Energy

Many details about the course of the war, such as casualty figures or details of battles, come from Ukrainian or Russian authorities and cannot be independently verified. For our live blog, in addition to our own research, we use material from the news agencies dpa, Reuters, epd, KNA, and Bloomberg. Important Updates Trump announces "energy-weapon truce" between Ukraine and Russia – not yet confirmed Wadephul reaffirms support for Ukraine and Selenskij Russia loosens diesel export ban after agreement with Trump Trump attacks Selenskij: Ukraine should "seek a new leader" Deaths from Russian attacks on Saporischschja - Ukraine retaliates with counterattacks Trump announces "energy-weapon truce" between Ukraine and Russia – not yet confirmed According to US President Donald Trump, Russia and Ukraine have agreed to an agreement that he calls an "energy-weapon truce." This is effective immediately, Trump explained on social media. He does not provide details. No confirmation from Moscow is available yet. Trump had made a similar statement in mid-September. However, both sides continued their attacks afterward. The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskij told the portal "Axios" that the ceasefire agreed upon by Trump "is new to me. But if the Russians agree to an energy truce, Ukraine will also agree." On the X platform, Selenskij shared that he had spoken with the Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte about Trump's move. "Ukraine supports the ceasefire, but it is important that Russia does too," he wrote. "We are now waiting for the details from the American side." Shortly before Trump's post, the Ukrainian President Selenskij had agreed that Ukraine would suspend its attacks on Russian oil refineries if Russia spared Ukraine's energy infrastructure in return. Trump had demanded a halt to Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries and expressed support for Selenskij's replacement. The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskij told the portal "Axios" that the ceasefire agreed upon by Trump "is new to me. But if the Russians agree to an energy truce, Ukraine will also agree." On the X platform, Selenskij shared that he had spoken with the Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte about Trump's move. "Ukraine supports the ceasefire, but it is important that Russia does too," he wrote. "We are now waiting for the details from the American side." Shortly before Trump's post, the Ukrainian President Selenskij had agreed that Ukraine would suspend its attacks on Russian oil refineries if Russia spared Ukraine's energy infrastructure in return. Trump had demanded a halt to Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries and expressed support for Selenskij's replacement. US Senators criticize Trump's diesel deal with Russia Democratic and Republican US Senators criticize the import of Russian diesel planned by President Donald Trump as unlawful. The Congress, they say, prohibited the import of Russian energy carriers in 2022 so that the USA would not finance Russia's war against Ukraine, according to a letter from seven Senators from both parties. "President Trump's decision to allow Russian imports directly contradicts this law." The United States should not give the Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin a lifeline as long as he kills Ukrainian civilians, it was further said. "The government must immediately correct its course." Moscow Airports suspend operations due to drone alarms The four airports of the Russian capital Moscow temporarily suspended flight operations in the evening due to incoming Ukrainian drones. All landings and take-offs at Scheremetjewo, Wnukowo, Domodedowo, and Schukowski airports were cancelled for a short time, reported the State Agency Tass. At least 25 incoming aircraft were diverted to other airfields during this time. The alarm was lifted at all airports late in the evening. According to Moscow's Mayor Sergej Sobjanin, at least 23 Ukrainian drones were shot down on their way to the Russian metropolis before the city limits. He did not provide information on whether the drones had overcome air defense or caused damage. Flight operations were also disrupted in other Russian cities in the evening by incoming drones. For example, in Kostroma and Yaroslavl, northeast of Moscow, all take-offs and landings were temporarily stopped. Flight operations were also disrupted in other Russian cities in the evening by incoming drones. For example, in Kostroma and Yaroslavl, northeast of Moscow, all take-offs and landings were temporarily stopped. Selenskij reports attack on energy facility According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskij, the Russian military attacked and damaged a heating power plant in the large city of Kharkiv in the east of the country. However, in his evening video address, Selenskij left open whether the attack on energy facilities occurred before or after the truce announced by US President Donald Trump. According to local authorities, the attack with drones and cruise missiles resulted in six injuries, including a child. Selenskij: Can organize elections during a 60-day truce Following the replacement of the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskij demanded by US President Donald Trump, he responded with a counteroffer. If Trump could bring Russian President Vladimir Putin to a 60-day complete ceasefire, Ukraine would have time to organize new elections, Selenskij said in an interview with the US broadcaster ABC. His citizens must be guaranteed safety during the elections. Selenskij's regular term has already expired since May 20, 2024. However, due to martial law, the term has been extended indefinitely according to the constitution, as new elections are not possible under these circumstances. Furthermore, Selenskij has repeatedly pointed out that Ukrainians in the territories occupied by Russia must also be able to participate in elections without hindrance. Selenskij sees the current pressure from Washington as an expression of helplessness. "These people just can't find a way to stop Putin," he said. Therefore, it is easier to put others under pressure than to stop the Kremlin leader. Wadephul reaffirms support for Ukraine and Selenskij After the dispute between Kyiv and US President Donald Trump, Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul promised further support to Ukraine. "We need further consistency and clarity on the side of Ukraine," he said in Berlin before consultations of the CDU chairmanship. "We don't need less, we need more pressure on Putin so that he is ready to negotiate," Wadephul added regarding Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. Europe needs stability. "And that means that we must continue to stand clearly on the side of Ukraine, and also on the side of the government, and fully support the President in the exercise of his heavy office," said the CDU politician. He did not explicitly address Trump's demand for a new president in Ukraine. Wadephul said that it is clear in this time that we need negotiations. However, he noted: "While a team from Ukraine was in Miami and spoke with the United States about how to achieve a negotiating result, Putin continued to bomb Ukraine." Many civilians were killed in the last week. Attack on Saporischschja: Death toll rises to 23 Following a fierce Russian attack on Saporischschja, the number of dead has risen to 23. The rescue operations after the Saturday attack have been completed, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskij announced on social media. Among the dead were four minors. "The real reason for the war in Europe is Russia, and Russia alone," wrote Selenskij. Ukraine is ready to stop attacks on Russian refineries if Russia no longer attacks Ukrainian energy facilities, he repeated, and accused Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin of not wanting to do so. Russia attacked a medical facility, civilian infrastructure, residential buildings, and energy infrastructure in Kharkiv, the capital city in the east of the country, on Saturday and during the night. In Sloviansk, a residential building was hit in the morning. People could still be under the rubble. Russia deployed around 1,450 cruise missiles, 75 rockets and ballistic missiles, and more than 1,640 drones, most of which were jet-powered, in this week alone. Rescue forces are clearing the rubble of a residential building in Saporischschja. The house was damaged in a Russian air attack on Saturday. Photo: Stringer/Reuters Ukraine strikes Russian internet giant Yandex again Ukraine again struck a data center of the Russian internet giant Yandex in its counterattacks. Following a drone attack, the infrastructure of a data center located more than 170 kilometers east of Moscow, in Vladimir, was damaged, the company reported. The operation of the data center was completely stopped and some services were inaccessible. No injuries were reported. According to reports, people in several regions of Russia and abroad are having problems using payment or taxi services, among other things. Ukraine had already struck locations of the internet giant in Sassowo in the Rjasan and Kaluga regions on Thursday and Friday. Russia had previously attacked data centers in Ukraine multiple times. The Ministry of Defense in Moscow also announced in the morning that a data center in the Ukrainian port city of Odesa had been attacked. The Ukrainian armed forces would use it for processing, transmission, and storage of information, they said as justification. Russia had previously attacked data centers in Ukraine multiple times. The Ministry of Defense in Moscow also announced in the morning that a data center in the Ukrainian port city of Odesa had been attacked. The Ukrainian armed forces would use it for processing, transmission, and storage of information, they said as justification.