Russia and Ukraine deny energy truce amid new strikes and US sanctions

Ukraine and Russia have both denied the existence of an energy truce previously claimed by US President Donald Trump. Despite claims of a pause in hostilities, new strikes have targeted energy infrastructure on both sides. Russian drones struck gas stations in Kyiv and other energy and port facilities in Ukraine, while Ukraine targeted the Syzran refinery in Russia's Samara region.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia continues to attack Ukraine's energy, logistics, and critical infrastructure, conditioning any de-escalation on a lasting and honest Russian commitment to end the war.

In a separate development, the US House of Representatives passed a new package of sanctions against Russia and its allies. The legislation, which has already passed the Senate and is expected to be signed by President Trump, targets Russia's energy and defense sectors, high-ranking officials, and the “ghost fleet” of tankers used to bypass Western sanctions. The bill also grants the US president authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, such as China and India, to reduce the revenue funding the conflict.