US President Donald Trump on Sunday announced an immediate “energy ceasefire” between Russia and Ukraine, which would involve halting attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure. However, neither Moscow nor Kyiv has confirmed that an agreement has been reached. 

"Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!" Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday, without offering further explanation.

The announcement caught Kyiv off guard. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy initially told US news outlet Axios that the proposal was "news" to him, reiterating that Ukraine would only support such a ceasefire if Russian President Vladimir Putin suspended strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

However, after speaking with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Zelenskyy said Ukraine "supported the ceasefire" but stressed that Russia must also commit to it. He said Kyiv was awaiting further details from Washington.

According to Zelenskyy, Russia has continued to target Ukrainian energy facilities, including a strike on a joint heating and power plant in Kharkiv, the country's second-largest city. 

Trump steps up pressure on Zelenskyy as fuel prices soar

The dispute comes as Trump faces mounting pressure to contain fuel prices ahead of the US midterm elections on November 3, with rising costs threatening to hamper Republican prospects in Congress.

Global energy markets have been under pressure since US and Israeli military strikes on Iran in February disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil and gas supplies. US diesel prices surged to a record high in September, at one point standing 94% above pre-conflict levels.

Diesel is particularly important to the US agricultural economy, powering farm machinery and transporting crops and other goods. Higher prices are therefore hitting farmers and rural businesses in states such as Iowa and Nebraska, where Republican support has traditionally been strong.

For Trump, the political stakes extend beyond the price at the pump. If fuel costs remain elevated, frustration among farmers, truckers and other diesel-dependent businesses could weaken Republican support just weeks before voters head to the polls.

Trump has blamed Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries for contributing to the rise in diesel prices and has pressed Kyiv to halt them. On Saturday, he escalated his criticism of Zelenskyy, urging Ukraine to stop the attacks and calling for the country to choose a new leader in elections.

Trump argued that Moscow was willing to negotiate an end to the conflict but accused Zelenskyy of obstructing a settlement and missing many opportunities to reach a deal.

Zelenskyy rejected the suggestion that Ukraine was responsible for rising energy prices, arguing that the war in the Middle East was a much more significant factor.

According to the Financial Times, Washington has also threatened to suspend intelligence sharing with Ukraine and halt weapons procurement through the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), a mechanism through which NATO allies fund US weapons for Kyiv, as it pushed Ukraine to stop attacks on Russian energy sites.

US deal to buy Russian diesel sparks criticism

Trump's "energy ceasefire" announcement followed a separate diesel deal with Russia on Friday, when he said Putin had agreed to supply diesel to US and global markets in an effort to ease fuel shortages and prices.

Trump said Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel, followed by 500,000 tonnes in November and another 1 million tonnes thereafter.

The agreement has drawn bipartisan criticism in the United States. Six senators, including Republicans and Democrats, urged the Trump administration to reverse course, questioning the legality of the arrangement.

Zelenskyy condemned the deal, saying it would embolden Moscow's attacks on Ukraine and cost more lives.

Washington's European allies also criticized the direction of US policy toward Ukraine and Russia.

British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting said Britain does not support Trump's deal, while European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas reiterated that the bloc will maintain its existing sanctions against Russia, and said European officials continue to pursue additional measures targeting Russia's military-industrial complex.

The diesel arrangement has also drawn criticism from India.

NDTV, an Indian news outlet, on Saturday published an analysis accusing Washington of applying a "double standard" by penalizing India for buying Russian energy while pursuing its own deal with Moscow. The report linked Trump's decision to domestic pressure over fuel prices and the approaching midterm elections. 

In 2025, the Trump administration imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods imported into the United States, citing India's purchases of Russian oil. This brought the total US tariff rate on Indian goods to as high as 50% at one point, highlighting an apparent contradiction in Washington's recent approach to Russian energy exports.

(With input from agencies)