MWE Correspondent
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of using US President Donald Trump’s proposed energy ceasefire to buy time, rebuild Ukraine’s military capabilities and secure additional weapons from European countries.
Lavrov made the remarks on October 12, 2026, as tensions continued over Trump’s announcement that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to stop attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure.
The Russian foreign minister questioned Kyiv’s intentions, arguing that a temporary halt in fighting could give Ukraine an opportunity to strengthen its forces rather than advance genuine efforts to end the war.
“I do not think he has earned a respite. I do not think that we will once again fall for assurances and promises,” Lavrov said, according to reports of his remarks.
Moscow has maintained that it is unwilling to accept a temporary pause that could allow Ukraine to reinforce its military capabilities without addressing the broader issues underlying the conflict.
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The dispute follows Trump’s announcement of an energy ceasefire intended to reduce attacks on power plants, oil facilities and other critical infrastructure. However, the proposal has generated uncertainty because its terms have not been clearly established and Russia has not explicitly confirmed that it has accepted the arrangement.
Zelensky, meanwhile, has expressed readiness for Ukraine to stop targeting Russian energy infrastructure, provided Moscow also halts attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities.
The Ukrainian president said Russian strikes continued after Trump’s announcement, including attacks on energy-related sites. He argued that the continued bombardment raised questions about Russia’s willingness to honour the proposed arrangement.
The disagreement has complicated Washington’s efforts to reduce hostilities between the two countries, with Moscow questioning Kyiv’s intentions and Ukraine demanding reciprocal action from Russia.
Energy infrastructure has become a major focus of the conflict because attacks on power generation, gas production and fuel facilities can disrupt electricity supplies, heating and transportation while affecting civilian populations and economic activity.
The latest diplomatic dispute also comes amid wider tensions over Western military assistance to Ukraine. European countries have continued supporting Kyiv, while the Trump administration has pressed both sides to reduce attacks and move towards an agreement.
Whether the proposed energy ceasefire can take effect will depend on the establishment of clear terms, confirmation from both governments and a mechanism for monitoring compliance.
For now, Lavrov’s accusations and Zelensky’s concerns over continuing Russian attacks highlight the deep mistrust between Moscow and Kyiv, raising further questions about whether the proposed arrangement can produce a meaningful reduction in hostilities.
