Trump says Ukraine and Russia agree to halt strikes on energy targets

On Monday, US President Donald Trump claimed that both Ukraine and Russia had agreed to cease strikes on energy targets, attempting to redirect responsibility for soaring fuel prices away from the conflict in Iran and towards the war in Ukraine. According to Trump's post on his Truth Social account, Ukraine has agreed not to target Russian energy infrastructure, while Russia has agreed to do the same.

Trump further stated that the rise in diesel prices is largely due to the Russia/Ukraine war, not the Iran situation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had previously suggested that no official deal had been confirmed, but that Ukraine was willing to accept an agreement from its partners that would prevent the destruction of critical infrastructure, including energy systems, facilities, and food supply routes.

Zelenskyy added that if such partners were prepared to ensure Russia refrains from striking these crucial targets, Ukraine would be ready to halt its own strikes. While both conflicts have caused global energy disruptions, experts have emphasized that the war in the Middle East has had a more significant impact on the global oil supply.

Oil prices have risen sharply since the start of the Iran war in late February, triggered by US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Iran's response, effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz - a vital oil and gas transit route - led to market chaos. This ongoing issue in the Strait, which typically handles a quarter of the world's seaborne oil trade, remains a contentious point in US-Tehran negotiations.

Trump's announcement follows his request to Kyiv to stop attacking Russian diesel infrastructure during a recent trip to Ireland. During a press conference, Trump urged Zelenskyy to refrain from targeting diesel fuel, explaining that it was causing a shortage. Ukraine has intensified its assaults on Russian energy facilities as part of President Zelenskyy's long-term sanctions strategy, aiming to weaken the Russian economy and hinder its war efforts.

Russia has conducted multiple strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, seeking to compel Kyiv to surrender, particularly during the winter months. The surge in oil prices has led to higher fuel costs for Americans ahead of the November midterm elections, which will determine the composition of Congress for the final two years of Trump's term.

On Monday, California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, criticized US Energy Secretary Chris Wright over the rising costs, questioning why the administration did not take action to protect Americans from the predictable consequences of Trump's Iran war.