Trump Announces Energy Ceasefire; Zelenskyy Says He Learned of It From the Post
President Donald Trump said Sunday morning that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an energy ceasefire, effective immediately, and warned both sides not to break it. The announcement, posted on Truth Social, did not specify what the arrangement covers. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Axios he had no prior knowledge of the deal and asked when the ceasefire would begin.
A claim without confirmation
Trump wrote that both parties had agreed to the energy ceasefire. His post did not elaborate on its terms, and there was no immediate confirmation from Moscow. The Kremlin has not publicly responded to the claim.
The announcement came one month after Trump made a similar statement about an energy ceasefire. That earlier announcement did not stop aerial attacks on energy facilities. Whether the previous arrangement had any effect remains unclear.
Zelenskyy's response
Zelenskyy said Ukraine would agree to an energy ceasefire if Russia agrees. In an interview on ABC News’ “This Week,” he said Kyiv is open to such a deal and ready to stop attacking Russian energy targets if Moscow halts strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
“Don’t attack us, don’t kill our children, we will stop attacking your diesel,” Zelenskyy said, according to ABC. He also said he is prepared to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries if Russia stops attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
The Ukrainian president said he would hold elections if Russia agreed to a 60-day ceasefire. He added that it is up to Ukrainians to choose their leader. Zelenskyy noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin would also like to change Ukraine’s leadership.
Diesel deal and sanctions relief
On Friday, the United States agreed to lift sanctions on Russian fuel as part of a diesel deal with the Kremlin. Under the arrangement, Russia will release 300,000 tons of diesel immediately, an additional 500,000 tons in November, and another million tons after that.
Trump has demanded that Kyiv halt attacks on Russian oil refineries. On Saturday, he suggested Ukraine get a new leader who can make a deal, a call that has left Kyiv and European allies reeling.
Fuel prices and blame
Diesel prices have reached record highs since the U.S. launched a war in the Middle East in February. Trump blames the Ukraine conflict for the global fuel shortage.
Zelenskyy said fuel prices are rising because of the war in the Middle East, not the war in Ukraine. He said it is easy to blame Ukraine for fuel prices when the Middle East conflict is the cause. Zelenskyy also said Trump and Elon Musk blame him because stopping Putin is difficult.
Zelenskyy’s office was contacted for further comment. Whether Russia has actually agreed to the energy ceasefire, what it specifically covers, and when it would begin all remain unknown.
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