Russia, Ukraine agree to stop attacks on energy facilities – Trump

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Monday that Russia and Ukraine have reached an agreement to cease attacks on each other's energy infrastructure. This development comes a day after Trump criticized Ukraine for targeting Russian oil refineries. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump asserted that both nations had pledged to refrain from striking energy-related facilities. He stated, "Ukraine has agreed not to hit Russian Energy targets. Russia has agreed to do, likewise!"

While Trump made the claim, neither Ukraine's presidency nor Russia immediately commented on the purported agreement. However, the U.S. president's assertion coincides with a period of escalating oil prices, spurred by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war that is now in its seventh month. The conflict has also generated concerns over fuel costs and inflation in the United States as the nation approaches the November midterm elections.

On Sunday, Trump had expressed his displeasure with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a visit to Ireland. He urged Zelensky to cease attacks on Russian diesel infrastructure, citing the strikes as a contributing factor to diesel shortages. Trump argued, "Let him go after targets, but not diesel fuel, because he’s causing a shortage of diesel," contending that Russia-Ukraine conflict, rather than Iran's conflict with the U.S., is the primary reason for the surge in diesel prices.

The president claimed he had discussed the escalation of attacks on Russian energy facilities with Zelensky.

Recent months have witnessed an increase in attacks on Russian oil refineries by Ukraine, while Moscow has intensified its long-range strikes, leading to a higher number of civilian casualties. Kyiv has deployed record numbers of drones against targets in Russia, while Moscow has responded with a level of missile attacks previously unseen.

Trump previously mentioned a positive conversation he had with Russian President Vladimir Putin, indicating that the Russian leader was open to concluding the war. He noted that if Zelensky also desired a deal, it would be favorable. However, Ukraine's president stated last week that he was prepared to meet Putin during the G20 summit at Trump's Doral resort in Miami in December. The Kremlin, though, immediately dismissed the possibility of such a meeting.