President Trump announced Sunday that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to halt attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure.
The agreement came a day after Mr. Trump blamed Kyiv for drone strikes on Russian oil refineries, saying they disrupted global fuel supplies and caused record gas prices in the U.S. ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.
“Effective immediately, there is an energy ceasefire in the war between Russia and Ukraine,” Mr. Trump said. “Both parties have agreed. Do not break it.”
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Neither Kyiv nor Moscow has publicly confirmed Mr. Trump’s statement on targeting energy facilities.
President Trump struck a deal Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin for Moscow to supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel fuel initially, followed by additional shipments totaling up to several million tons to the U.S. and global markets.
In exchange, the U.S. Treasury Department issued a temporary waiver that relaxed sanctions on the sale of Russian diesel through April 2027.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday that Russia interprets any easing of pressure as a signal that it can continue the war.
“Russia thanked us for lifting the sanctions on diesel exports by dropping five glide bombs on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia,” Mr. Zelenskyy said. “As of now, unfortunately, 12 people are known to have been killed, including three children.”
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, Minnesota Republican, said Sunday that Mr. Trump was “thinking outside the box” when he negotiated the deal with Russia.
“The American people are hiring because of this world market when it comes to diesel and fuel in general,” Mr. Emmer said on ABC’s “This Week.” “Our president is trying to find every answer possible to help the American people literally move it forward.”
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