Oil Drops as Trump Claims Russia-Ukraine Energy Ceasefire That Ukraine Says It Never Heard Of
Trump says both sides agreed to stop hitting energy targets, but Zelensky says the deal is news to him and Russia has stayed silent.
US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an immediate ceasefire covering energy infrastructure, saying both sides would stop attacks on power plants and related facilities [260091][259958]. The announcement came after Trump struck a diesel deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin under which Russia would supply 300,000 tons of diesel immediately, another 500,000 tons in November, and 1 million tons shortly after, with up to 3 million more tons possible later [260052]. Oil prices fell following Trump's ceasefire claim, as the deal aimed to lower fuel costs ahead of the US midterm elections on November 3 [260185][260052].
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded that the ceasefire announcement was "news" to him [259958]. He said Ukraine is ready to stop striking Russian oil refineries if Russia stops attacking Ukraine's energy infrastructure, calling for any de-escalation to be reciprocal and backed by real guarantees [260003][259923]. Zelensky also said he did not know about the energy ceasefire but is willing to accept it if Russia does the same [260091]. Russia has not commented on Trump's statement [260162][260091].
The confusion deepened as Ukraine reported new Russian strikes on a Ukrainian power plant after Trump's announcement, with at least five people killed and civilians injured in attacks on Kharkiv and Ivano-Frankivsk [259915]. No timeline or enforcement details for the ceasefire were provided [259958].
The dispute over the diesel deal escalated earlier when Zelensky criticized the agreement as "unfair" and "unworthy of an ally," noting it allows Russia to export diesel despite US sanctions imposed since the war began in 2022 [260003][260052]. Trump hit back, saying "it is time for Ukraine to have a new president" and urging Ukraine to "find a new leader who can make a deal" [260052][259923]. Zelensky rejected the call, saying "it's up to our people" [259923].
Zelensky also proposed holding elections if Putin agrees to a 60-day ceasefire, citing security concerns and constitutional restrictions on voting during martial law [259957][260003]. The European Commission president and France have voiced support for Ukraine's call for a ceasefire covering energy infrastructure [259947].