Russia, Ukraine agree to not hit energy targets: Trump

US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that Ukraine and Russia have mutually agreed not to target each other's energy installations, oil refineries, and critical infrastructure, as reported by a post on Trump's Truth Social account. This decision to cease attacks on energy targets comes amidst a surge in global diesel prices, which Trump attributed to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict rather than the Iran conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in response to Trump's announcement, stated that Ukraine would halt its strikes on Russia if other partners could guarantee that Moscow would refrain from attacking Ukrainian energy facilities, infrastructure, and food supply routes. However, Zelenskiy expressed skepticism about Russia's willingness to comply with any such agreement, emphasizing the need to end the war and de-escalate tensions. He requested specific commitments from partners to achieve peace.

The recent escalation in the conflict was marked by waves of drone strikes killing and injuring civilians, targeting key energy and infrastructure sites in both Ukraine and Russia. Ukrainian drones struck Russia's Tatarstan region, a hub for oil and petrochemical facilities, while Russian drones targeted Odesa and western Ukraine near Poland.

Both nations continued to launch long-range attacks on each other's critical infrastructure, despite the Kremlin hinting at potential peace talks involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States, possibly resuming in October.

The surge in US diesel prices is exacerbating financial strain on farmers entering the harvest season for corn and soybeans, with fuel costs now 60% higher compared to pre-war levels. This fuel price increase affects not only the operation of machinery but also the transportation of crops from farms to buyers, putting additional pressure on farmers' margins. Some farmers are considering delaying work to cope with the financial burden, while others are forced to cut expenses.