Trump: Russia and Ukraine Agree to ‘Energy Ceasefire’ – The Epoch Times

Thick plumes of smoke with flames rise from an oil refinery following what the authorities say was a Ukrainian drone strike in the course of the Russia–Ukraine conflict (Enews)

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Oct. 11 via Truth Social that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to halt attacks on each other’s energy facilities, a deal aimed at easing global oil and diesel prices driven up by infrastructure damage in both countries during the war.

“Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. “Both parties have agreed. Do not break it! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”

Details of the agreement remain unclear.

Following the announcement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the agreement but called on Russia to heed Trump’s words.

“Ukraine is ready to refrain from striking Russian energy infrastructure–and we count on the same readiness from Russia,” he said in a statement on Oct. 11.

“We are awaiting clear details of the dialogue between America and Russia–and we expect [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to follow through on what President Trump said.”

Russia carried out strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in Kharkiv on Oct. 11. Over the past week, Zelenskyy said, Russian forces have carried out more than 200 strikes on electricity generation and transmission sites of Ukraine, as well as 17 strikes on the country’s gas and oil facilities.

Moscow has not issued a statement confirming the agreement.

On Oct. 9, Trump said he reached a deal with Putin to supply diesel to the United States and global markets amid rising fuel prices.

Trump announced that Russia had agreed to immediately export more than 300,000 tons of diesel to the global markets. An additional 500,000 tons of diesel will be shipped out in November, followed by an additional million tons in December, he said.

Another 3 million tons of diesel could be delivered following the initial exports depending on the condition of Russia’s refineries, Trump said in a Truth Social post announcing the deal.

Trump criticized Zelenskyy for expressing disappointment with the diesel deal.

On Oct. 9, Zelenskyy issued a long statement on X, saying, “Any easing of sanctions against Russia without a clear and lasting de-escalation agreement with Russia is an obvious weakness.”

“Gifts to Putin will not bring peace or any benefit to the civilized world,” he said.

In response, Trump said on Oct. 10 that Ukraine needs a new leader.

Trump told reporters that Zelenskyy has had the opportunity to settle the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine “many times” but has chosen not to.

“That’s a war that should have never started, and I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president,” Trump said.

In recent months, Ukraine has expanded its drone capabilities, launching long-range strikes on Russian oil refineries.

Ongoing attacks have caused widespread fuel shortages across Russia. In response to these attacks, Russia implemented a ban on diesel exports starting in July.

Recent drone strikes on Russian refineries and sanctions on Russian petroleum have knocked out nearly one-third of the country’s export capacity, according to the International Energy Agency, affecting global energy supply.

In addition to that, tightening global oil supplies amid the conflict with Iran have caused U.S. diesel prices to climb to historic highs, averaging more than $6 per gallon nationwide.

Trump has repeatedly urged both Ukraine and Russia over the past several weeks to stop carrying out military strikes on energy infrastructure.

On Sept. 4, Trump announced that the two countries had agreed to cease additional attacks on energy infrastructure, including oil refineries. However, Ukraine has since continued to target Russian oil and gas refineries, while Russia has continued to target Ukrainian gas stations and other energy infrastructure.

Trump echoed on Oct. 10 his previous calls for Ukraine to stop targeting Russia’s energy infrastructure, noting that Russia supplies “a large portion” of the diesel used throughout the world.

Jill McLaughlin and Timothy Frudd contributed to this report.