Trump claims Russia and Ukraine agree to energy ceasefire, but Zelenskyy says this is ‘news for me’

President Donald Trump announced Sunday that Ukraine and Russia had entered into an energy ceasefire, though Ukrainian officials expressed surprise at the claim and Moscow offered no immediate verification.

Writing on Truth Social on Sunday morning, Trump declared that an energy ceasefire was taking effect immediately between the two nations, stating that both sides had consented and warning them not to breach the understanding. He did not provide additional specifics regarding the scope or terms of the purported agreement. A similar declaration made by Trump roughly a month earlier failed to stop reciprocal aerial strikes targeting power and fuel networks in both countries.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cast doubt on the announcement, telling Axios that the development was completely new to him. Zelenskyy stated that his country had not been informed of an arrangement but would readily sign on if the Kremlin actually committed to halting strikes against energy infrastructure. He added that if Trump had brokered terms directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukraine was waiting to hear precisely when the pause would take effect so it could comply.

The ceasefire claim emerged amid heightened diplomatic friction following a sequence of controversial moves by the Trump administration. Days earlier, Washington reached a fuel arrangement with Moscow, agreeing to ease sanctions on Russian oil products. Under that pact, Trump said Russia pledged to send an initial shipment of 300,000 tons of diesel to international and U.S. buyers, with an additional 500,000 tons slated for November and one million more scheduled thereafter.

Alongside that transaction, Trump demanded that Kyiv cease drone and missile operations aimed at Russian oil refineries. After Zelenskyy voiced objections, Trump pushed back on Saturday, suggesting Ukraine replace its president with a leader more capable of striking agreements.

Zelenskyy defended his position on Sunday, telling ABC News that selecting Ukraine's leadership remains the sole right of its citizens, while noting that Putin similarly desires a government change in Kyiv. Addressing broader energy issues, Zelenskyy argued that blaming the war in Ukraine for elevated global diesel costs ignores the severe market disruptions caused by the U.S. military conflict in the Middle East that began in February.

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine remains willing to stop targeting Russian refineries as long as Moscow concurrently stops bombarding Ukraine’s energy grid. He also offered to organize national elections if Russia consents to an overarching 60-day cessation of hostilities.