US President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to cease targeting each other's energy infrastructure. Trump announced this on his Truth Social network, declaring, "Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine." He urged both parties to maintain the ceasefire, stating, "Do not break it!"
There was no immediate confirmation from Moscow regarding this announcement. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to Trump's post by stating it was "news for me." He added that if Russia agrees to an energy ceasefire, Ukraine would also agree, and he requested to be informed about when the ceasefire would begin.
Zelenskyy later reported that a drone had struck a power plant in Kyiv, causing power outages in the capital. He reiterated that Ukraine would stop attacking Russian oil refineries if Russia curbed its energy attacks.
Trump and Zelenskyy have been in disagreement 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 negotiated a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to purchase diesel from Russia, which he argued was an effort to lower fuel prices ahead of the upcoming US midterm elections. This deal has drawn criticism as it contradicts recent US sanctions aimed at reducing Russian energy revenues.
On Sunday, a bipartisan group of six US senators urged the Trump administration to reverse the diesel deal, stating, "The United States should not provide Putin with a financial lifeline while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians." The senators included both Democrats and Republicans.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her support for a ceasefire that protects global food supplies and energy infrastructure, backing Zelenskyy in the ongoing dispute with Trump. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham also supported Trump's call for a sustained energy ceasefire, while French President Emmanuel Macron expressed support for a real energy ceasefire but noted Russia's refusal to agree.
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney, after previously criticizing the Trump-Putin deal, also expressed support for the energy ceasefire in a phone call with Trump.
Russia has been targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure, including power plants and transmission lines, particularly during the winter months, while Ukraine has increased its strikes on Russian territory to disrupt Moscow's fuel supplies. On Sunday, Ukraine targeted a data center operated by Russian technology firm Yandex, marking the third strike on the company's facilities in four days.