US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to halt strikes on each other's energy infrastructure immediately. Trump stated on his Truth Social network, "Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine." He urged both parties to maintain this agreement, saying, "Do not break it!"
There was no immediate confirmation from Moscow regarding this ceasefire. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to Trump's announcement, stating it was "news for me." Zelenskyy indicated that Ukraine would agree to the ceasefire if Russia also complied, saying, "If President Trump negotiated it with Putin, please tell us when the ceasefire begins; we are ready and we will accept it."
Later, Zelenskyy reported that a drone had struck a power plant in Kyiv, causing power outages in the capital. He reiterated Ukraine's position that it would cease attacks on Russian oil refineries if Russia reduced its energy assaults.
Trump and Zelenskyy have exchanged criticisms over Ukraine's attacks on Russian diesel facilities, which Trump claimed have contributed to a global diesel shortage. Trump mentioned on Friday that he had reached a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to purchase diesel from Russia, a move intended to lower high fuel prices ahead of the upcoming US midterm elections. This decision has drawn criticism as it contradicts recent US sanctions aimed at diminishing Russian energy revenues that support the war.
On Sunday, a bipartisan group of six US senators urged the Trump administration to reverse the diesel deal. The senators, including Democrats Jeanne Shaheen and Richard Blumenthal and Republicans Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Thom Tillis, and John Curtis, stated, "The United States should not provide Putin with a financial lifeline while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians."
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her support for a ceasefire that protects global food supplies and energy infrastructure in both Ukraine and Russia, backing Zelenskyy in the ongoing dispute with Trump. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham also supported Trump's call for a sustained energy ceasefire, stating that Kyiv was ready to comply if Russia ceased its attacks. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed support for a real energy ceasefire but noted that Russia has refused to agree.
Russia has been targeting Ukraine's power plants and transmission lines, particularly around Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa, to diminish civilian morale during winter. Ukraine has intensified its long-range strikes into Russian territory, targeting major oil refineries to limit Moscow's refining capacity and fuel supplies. On Sunday, Ukraine continued its campaign against Russian infrastructure by striking a data center operated by the Russian technology company Yandex, marking the third attack on the company's facilities in four days.