Ukrainian president says Kyiv is ready to halt attacks on Russian energy facilities if Moscow reciprocates, as controversial US-Russia diesel deal sparks international criticism.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — United States President Donald Trump has announced that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to an immediate “energy ceasefire”, but uncertainty surrounds the proposed truce as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Kyiv was not informed of the agreement and reports fresh Russian attacks on energy facilities.
Trump made the announcement on Sunday, October 11, 2026, through a post on his Truth Social platform, declaring that the ceasefire was effective immediately. However, he provided no details about its terms, duration or monitoring arrangements, while Moscow had yet to publicly confirm its acceptance.
Zelensky initially expressed surprise at the announcement during an interview with the US news outlet Axios, describing the development as unexpected. He later indicated that Ukraine was prepared to support a halt to attacks on energy infrastructure if Russia agreed to do the same.
In a subsequent social media statement, the Ukrainian president said Kyiv was awaiting clear details of Washington’s discussions with Moscow.
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“Ukraine is ready not to strike at Russian energy and we count on Russia’s similar readiness,” Zelensky said, stressing that any arrangement would require reciprocal commitments.
Zelensky Reports Fresh Attacks on Ukrainian Energy Facilities
Despite Trump’s announcement, Zelensky accused Russian forces of striking Ukrainian energy infrastructure shortly afterwards.
According to the Ukrainian president, a drone attack hit a power plant in Kyiv, causing electricity disruptions, while further strikes targeted energy facilities in the north-eastern Kharkiv region.
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Zelensky said the reported attacks occurred after the US president declared that an energy ceasefire had taken effect.
The claims raised fresh questions about whether an agreement had been finalized and whether either side had committed to suspending attacks.
The BBC reported that the White House had been approached for clarification, as details of the proposed arrangement remained unclear.
Russia and Ukraine have repeatedly targeted each other’s energy infrastructure during the four-year-long war. Moscow has argued that Ukrainian installations supporting military operations are legitimate targets, while Kyiv maintains that attacks on Russian oil facilities are intended to reduce the revenue available to finance Moscow’s military campaign.
The strikes have disrupted energy supplies and damaged critical infrastructure on both sides.
Russian Diesel Deal Fuels Tensions Between Washington and Kyiv
Trump’s ceasefire announcement comes amid growing controversy over a separate arrangement involving Russian diesel exports to the United States and international markets.
The US president recently announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to release 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately, followed by 500,000 tonnes in November and a further one million tonnes subsequently.
The arrangement reportedly involves a temporary suspension of sanctions affecting Russian diesel exports, with the stated objective of increasing supply and easing pressure on fuel prices.
Trump’s administration is facing mounting pressure over rising energy costs following the war involving Iran, which has contributed to higher global fuel prices and increased living costs in the United States.
With the US midterm elections approaching, the administration has been seeking measures to ease the financial burden on American consumers.
However, the proposed diesel arrangement has drawn criticism from Ukraine and several Western officials, who argue that allowing Russian energy exports could provide Moscow with additional revenue while its war against Ukraine continues.
Zelensky described the deal as a gift to Putin, warning that commercial benefits for Russia could undermine efforts to bring the conflict to an end.
US Lawmakers Challenge the Diesel Arrangement
The controversy has also spread to Washington, where lawmakers from both major political parties have questioned the agreement.
Seven US senators, including four Republicans and three Democrats, issued a statement arguing that the arrangement conflicts with legislation restricting Russian energy imports until Moscow ends its aggression against Ukraine and ceases threats against NATO allies.
The lawmakers called on the Trump administration to reverse its decision.
Republican Senator Thom Tillis also warned that the arrangement could put American lives at risk, according to reports by US media.
The criticism highlights divisions within Trump’s own party over how the administration should balance domestic fuel prices, sanctions policy and support for Ukraine.
European officials have also expressed reservations about the arrangement. UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said Britain did not support the diesel deal, while European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas criticised the move.
At the same time, the United Kingdom, France, Canada and the European Union have expressed support for Trump’s call for an energy ceasefire, although the proposed truce’s terms and implementation remain uncertain.
Trump and Zelensky Exchange Criticism Over War Strategy
Relations between Trump and Zelensky have come under renewed strain following the dispute over Russian diesel and Ukraine’s continued attacks on Russian oil infrastructure.
Trump has urged Kyiv to stop targeting Russian refineries, arguing that such attacks contribute to fuel supply problems. He also criticised Zelensky for continuing to authorize the strikes and suggested that Ukraine needed a new president.
Zelensky, however, has defended Ukraine’s right to respond to Russian attacks and maintained that strikes against Russian energy infrastructure are intended to restrict Moscow’s ability to finance the war.
The Ukrainian leader has also addressed calls for fresh elections, which have been suspended under Ukraine’s wartime legal framework.
Zelensky said Ukraine could organize elections if Russia agreed to a comprehensive 60-day ceasefire, pointing to the security and logistical challenges of conducting a nationwide vote while fighting continues and parts of the country remain occupied.
The issue has become another point of disagreement between the two leaders, with Trump repeatedly questioning Zelensky’s political position during the war.
Civilian Casualties Reported as Fighting Continues
Meanwhile, hostilities have continued despite the US president’s announcement.
Regional officials reported that six people were killed in attacks on two Ukrainian cities on Sunday. Separate reports indicated that one person was killed in Russia’s Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine, while another man died in a drone attack in Russian-occupied Donetsk.
The latest incidents underscore the continuing humanitarian consequences of the conflict and the difficulties facing international efforts to secure a sustained halt to the fighting.
For now, the proposed energy ceasefire remains uncertain, with Ukraine expressing conditional support, Russia yet to publicly confirm its participation and reports of fresh attacks raising doubts about its immediate implementation.
Whether Washington can secure a reciprocal commitment from Moscow and Kyiv remains a key question as diplomatic tensions intensify over energy supplies, sanctions and the future direction of the war.
