Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) on Wednesday threw his support behind President Trump's attempt to broker an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, while sharply condemning Russian President Vladimir Putin for what he described as a betrayal of the agreement.
In a post on X, Crenshaw said Trump was right to try forcing a halt to attacks on energy infrastructure. "President Trump did the right thing by trying to force an energy ceasefire. You have to *try*," he wrote. "But unfortunately a deal depends on the parties involved – and Putin is a backstabbing liar."
The Texas Republican did not stop at criticism. He urged the administration to retaliate against Moscow, arguing that Putin should not be allowed to humiliate the president. "Putin should not get away with trying to embarrass our President. He should regret it," Crenshaw said. "Apply the sanctions under the full force of the new law. Enable Ukrainian drones to bomb the HELL out of Russian infrastructure. It's time. It costs us NOTHING."
Crenshaw's comments came after Trump announced on Sunday that an energy ceasefire had been reached. "Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine," Trump posted on Truth Social. "Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!"
But the claim quickly unraveled. Later that same day, Russia struck a power plant in eastern Ukraine, directly contradicting Trump's announcement. ABC News, citing a local official, reported that a facility in Kharkiv was hit twice. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the strikes and other attacks.
"Unfortunately, Ukrainian skies have been infested with Russian 'shaheds' all day today. There have been glide bomb strikes and strikes on our energy infrastructure too. A power plant in Kharkiv was attacked this evening," Zelensky said Sunday on X.
Zelensky also indicated he was caught off guard by Trump's ceasefire claim. In comments to Axios, he said the deal "was news for me." Still, he left the door open: "But if Russians agree to an energy ceasefire, Ukraine will agree."
The episode has renewed scrutiny of the administration's Russia policy, particularly after it recently unveiled a deal to purchase diesel from Russia while easing sanctions. Critics argue that such moves undermine efforts to pressure Moscow, while supporters say they are necessary to stabilize energy markets. The tension between diplomacy and deterrence was on full display this week, as Crenshaw's call for tougher action highlighted the frustration among some Republicans over Putin's tactics.
For Ukraine, the stakes are existential. The strikes on Kharkiv's power plant are part of a broader Russian campaign against Ukrainian energy infrastructure, which Kyiv says is designed to cripple the country as winter approaches. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly warned that disruptions to power supplies could lead to a humanitarian crisis. As reported, Ukraine warns Starlink disruption would be dire, and the diesel deal with Russia has raised concerns about mixed signals from Washington.
Crenshaw's proposal to unleash Ukrainian drones on Russian infrastructure marks a significant escalation in rhetoric. It remains unclear whether the administration will adopt such a stance, but the congressman's remarks underscore the growing pressure on Trump to take a harder line against the Kremlin. With the ceasefire in tatters, the path forward for any diplomatic resolution appears increasingly narrow.
