Trump Says Russia and Ukraine Agree to ‘Energy Ceasefire’
The announcement follows Trump's October 9 claim that he reached a deal with Putin to supply diesel to the United States and global markets.
WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump announced on October 11 that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to stop attacking each other's energy infrastructure, in a move aimed at easing pressure on global oil and diesel prices amid the ongoing war.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared that an energy ceasefire between the two countries would take effect immediately.
“Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!” he wrote.
However, details of the reported agreement remain unclear.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the announcement, saying Kyiv was prepared to halt attacks on Russian energy facilities, provided Moscow did the same.
“Ukraine is ready to refrain from striking Russian energy infrastructure—and we count on the same readiness from Russia,” Zelenskyy said in a statement on October 11.
He added that Ukraine was awaiting further details of discussions between Washington and Moscow and expected Russian President Vladimir Putin to honour Trump's announcement.
Despite the announcement, Russian forces reportedly struck Ukraine's energy infrastructure in Kharkiv on October 11. Zelenskyy said Russian forces had carried out more than 200 attacks on Ukrainian electricity generation and transmission facilities over the preceding week, along with 17 strikes on the country's oil and gas infrastructure.
Moscow had not issued a statement confirming the agreement.
Trump announces diesel supply deal with Russia
The announcement came two days after Trump said he had reached an agreement with Putin to increase diesel supplies to the United States and international markets amid rising fuel prices.
Trump said Russia had agreed to immediately export more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel to global markets. An additional 500,000 tonnes would be shipped in November, followed by another one million tonnes in December.
He added that a further three million tonnes could be delivered after the initial shipments, depending on the condition of Russian refineries.
The proposed arrangement drew criticism from Zelenskyy, who warned against easing sanctions on Russia without a lasting agreement to reduce hostilities.
“Any easing of sanctions against Russia without a clear and lasting de-escalation agreement with Russia is an obvious weakness,” Zelenskyy wrote in a statement on October 9.
“Gifts to Putin will not bring peace or any benefit to the civilized world,” he added.
Trump criticised Zelenskyy's response and, on October 10, suggested that Ukraine needed new leadership.
Speaking to reporters, Trump argued that Zelenskyy had repeatedly been given opportunities to reach a settlement with Russia but had failed to do so.
“That’s a war that should have never started, and I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president,” Trump said.
Attacks on energy infrastructure disrupt fuel supplies
Ukraine has expanded its drone warfare capabilities in recent months, launching long-range attacks on Russian oil refineries and other energy facilities.
The strikes have contributed to fuel shortages in parts of Russia. In response, Moscow introduced a ban on diesel exports beginning in July.
According to the International Energy Agency, recent drone attacks on Russian refineries, combined with sanctions targeting Russian petroleum, have disrupted nearly one-third of Russia's export capacity, affecting global energy supplies.
Meanwhile, tightening international oil supplies amid the conflict involving Iran have pushed US diesel prices to record levels, with the national average exceeding $6 per gallon.
Trump has repeatedly urged both Moscow and Kyiv to stop attacking energy infrastructure in recent weeks, arguing that such strikes threaten fuel supplies and drive up prices.
On September 4, he announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to halt further attacks on energy facilities, including oil refineries. However, attacks continued afterward, with Ukraine targeting Russian oil and gas facilities and Russia striking Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
On October 10, Trump renewed his appeal for Ukraine to stop attacking Russian energy facilities, pointing out that Russia supplies a significant share of the world's diesel.
The latest announcement raises questions about whether the two sides will implement a sustained halt to attacks on energy infrastructure, particularly as the war continues and global fuel markets remain under pressure.