The announcement comes after President Donald Trump expressed frustration over Ukraine’s attacks on Russian refineries.
WASHINGTON —
President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to pause attacks on energy infrastructure, but he provided no details about the terms in his initial social media post.
“Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it,” Trump said.
It comes one day after Trump suggested that Ukraine should “get a new leader.” He accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of hindering a peace deal and driving up global diesel prices by striking Russia’s oil refineries.
“He wants to make problems for the world. He wants to make problems for our farmers, our ranchers, with diesel fuel, because Russia supplies a large portion of the diesel fuel throughout the world,” Trump said. “We told him, do whatever you want, but don’t hit the diesel fuel. There’s a big problem, a big shortage, and what does he do? He goes and hits the diesel fuel.”
Experts say the Russia-Ukraine conflict has driven up fuel prices, but so has Trump’s war with Iran.
Trump is pursuing several strategies to bring prices down ahead of the midterm elections, including his new deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump said Friday that Russia will immediately supply diesel to America and the global market.
The announcement marked a sharp pivot in U.S. policy, as America has banned Russian oil imports since Moscow first invaded Ukraine in 2022. Just last month, Congress passed a bipartisan law that aimed to choke off Russia’s oil revenue.
Critics of Trump’s deal warn that it will fund Russia’s war effort and prolong the conflict.
In a social media post on Sunday before Trump announced the energy ceasefire, Zelenskyy said Russia alone is responsible for the war. He said Ukraine is ready to stop hitting Russian refineries, but only if Russia stops targeting its energy infrastructure too.
“It is possible to stop strikes on energy infrastructure as early as today, but Putin does not want to do so,” Zelenskyy said. “Any de-escalation steps must be reciprocal and backed by real guarantees.”
As for Trump’s call for a new leader, Zelenskyy told ABC on Sunday that they would organize elections if Russia commits to a total ceasefire for 60 days. Zelenskyy also stressed that the decision is up to the people of Ukraine.