Carney thanks Trump for Ukraine energy ceasefire but slams U.S. diesel deal with Russia

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for his role in an energy ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia on Sunday, while also condemning a new U.S. diesel supply deal with Moscow.

Carney expressed "strong support for this agreement" in a call with Trump, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.

"The new energy ceasefire being brokered by President Trump between Russia and Ukraine has the potential to significantly de-escalate the war and protect thousands of citizens from hardship," Carney said on his X account.

READ MORE: Zelenskyy says Russia is violating Trump's announced energy ceasefire

READ MORE: Zelenskyy backs Trump's 'energy ceasefire' as Kyiv awaits details and Russian strikes continue

However, in a separate call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Carney said Trump's diesel fuel arrangement with Russia "is in direct opposition to the efforts of Ukraine, Canada, and our allies to create peace and stability in Europe."

"It will provide additional revenue for Russia and help finance its illegal, unjustifiable war against Ukraine," a PMO readout said.

Trump posted on his Truth Social account Sunday that Ukraine and Russia had agreed to an "energy ceasefire," effective immediately, but gave no details.

Zelenskyy said Monday that Russia had already violated the ceasefire.

"There were Russian violations of the energy ceasefire announced by President Trump," Zelenskyy told a security conference in Warsaw via video link.

He said he learned about the deal from the media and is waiting for details from Washington.

"This energy ceasefire, it can work, and it can become a major step toward ending the war if the Americans truly step in now and make sure Russians respect it," Zelenskyy said.

He noted that after Trump's post, Russia attacked a power plant in Kharkiv and an energy facility on the outskirts of the city.

"This past week alone, the Russians have carried out more than 200 strikes on our electricity generation and transmission facilities in Ukraine, and another 17 strikes this week targeted gas and oil facilities," Zelenskyy said.

Trump announced the diesel supply deal with the Kremlin on Friday, aiming to secure millions of tonnes of Russian diesel for the United States.

He has blamed Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian energy sites for high diesel prices ahead of the November U.S. midterm elections.

U.S. Republican Senator Thom Tillis said on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday that the diesel deal could be illegal, citing a 2022 law banning Russian energy imports.

"I do believe there's a legitimate case for saying the president's not following the law," Tillis said.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent disputed this on Fox News and said the administration will move ahead "with all the legal authorities we have."

Carney and Zelenskyy also discussed increasing coordination with European Union allies to help Ukraine with its air defence needs.

Zelenskyy thanked Carney for his compassion and said the prime minister is "very well informed" about Ukraine's defence requirements, "particularly anti-ballistic defense and preparations for winter."

"It is very good that Canada has become actively involved in developing the FREYJA anti-ballistic system jointly with Europe," Zelenskyy said.

FREYJA is a European project to build an alternative to the American Patriot missile anti-air system.

Zelenskyy also spoke Sunday with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Von der Leyen said Ukraine's military funding needs will be at the centre of this week's European Council meetings.

Carney underscored he remains willing to expand Canada's Russia sanctions.

Nosy Mag reported in October that Zelenskyy backed Trump's ceasefire announcement but was awaiting details.

The Kremlin said Monday that contacts were ongoing about the possible energy ceasefire.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on whether the ceasefire would apply only to oil refineries and said further information would be revealed in due course.

Peskov also rejected a 60-day ceasefire idea proposed by Zelenskyy on Sunday to allow Ukraine to hold presidential elections, saying Russia wanted an overall peace deal instead.

"In the Kremlin, both President Putin and officials at other levels have repeatedly stated that we do not want a ceasefire," Peskov said. "We want long-term peace and are prepared to do everything possible to achieve it."

With files from The Canadian Press, CityNews and CBC News