Trump says Russia, Ukraine agree to energy ceasefire – 'news for me', Zelensky says

On Sunday, US President Donald Trump announced an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. In a post on his Truth Social network, Trump stated that both parties have agreed to halt strikes on each other's energy infrastructure. He emphasized the importance of maintaining this ceasefire, urging both Kyiv and Moscow not to break it.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the news of the ceasefire to Axios, stating it was new for him as well. Zelenskyy expressed readiness to accept the ceasefire if Russia agreed to it. Earlier, Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine's commitment to stop targeting Russian oil refineries if Russia reduced its energy attacks. Trump and Zelenskyy have been discussing the recent attacks on Ukrainian diesel facilities, which Trump claimed were contributing to a global diesel shortage.

Trump had reportedly struck a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to buy diesel from Russia, aiming to lower fuel prices before the US midterm elections. However, this move conflicts with fresh US sanctions imposed on Russia, which were intended to further restrict Russian energy revenues funding the war. Russia has frequently targeted Ukraine's power plants and transmission lines in cities like Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa, aiming to lower civilian morale, especially during winter months.

Recently, Ukraine intensified its strikes on Russian infrastructure, including a data center belonging to Russian tech giant Yandex, marking the third such strike on the company's facilities in four days.