US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday, Oct. 11, that an immediate “energy ceasefire” has taken effect in the war between Russia and Ukraine, asserting that both governments have agreed to the arrangement.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump declared an immediate halt to attacks targeting energy infrastructure on both sides.
JOIN US ON TELEGRAM
Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.
“Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP,” the US president posted.
The announcement represents an unexpected development following days of sharp diplomatic tension between Washington, Kyiv, and Moscow over cross-border infrastructure strikes, fuel trade, and terms for prospective negotiations.
Prior diplomatic maneuvering
The declaration follows statements made earlier on Sunday by President Volodymyr Zelensky, who affirmed that Ukraine remained prepared to suspend long-range drone strikes on Russian oil refineries if Moscow agreed to a reciprocal, verifiable halt to attacks against Ukraine’s electricity and heating networks.
In a televised interview with ABC News broadcast, Zelensky reiterated Kyiv’s conditional readiness for an energy armistice, while noting that reaching a verifiable deal required mutual commitments.
Other Topics of Interest
Russia Plots Assassinations of European Arms Executives – FT
European intelligence agencies warned defense leaders that Russia is plotting assassinations to undermine military support for Ukraine.
“To stop Putin – and I think this is the main goal, to stop him, this is the main deal, to stop this war ... we count on American support,” Zelensky told ABC News. “Then, and of course, we count on our European partners, and I hope that we will save this unity, Europe and the United States.”
Zelensky highlighted the severity of recent Russian bombardments against civilian life-support systems, reporting that Russian forces had carried out 196 strikes targeting Ukraine’s electrical sector alongside 20 strikes against oil and gas infrastructure over the preceding week, resulting in 153 civilian deaths.
Neither the Ukrainian government nor the Kremlin immediately issued formal statements confirming the operational parameters, verification mechanisms, or start time of the ceasefire announced by Trump.
Sanctions disputes
Trump’s ceasefire proclamation arrives after days of public friction between the White House and Kyiv surrounding energy markets and leadership in Ukraine.
On Friday, Oct. 9, Trump announced a commercial arrangement under which Moscow agreed to deliver commercial diesel fuel onto international markets, prompting the US Treasury Department to issue a temporary general license authorizing transactions involving Russian diesel through April 2027.
The administration defended the measure as a step to lower retail fuel costs ahead of the November US midterm elections.
The commercial deal drew criticism from Ukrainian officials, who described the timing as counterproductive while peace consultations were underway in Miami with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
On Saturday, Trump criticized Zelensky for continuing long-range drone attacks on Russian refineries, claiming the strikes drove up fuel prices and asserting that it was “time for Ukraine to get a new president.”
Responding to Trump’s comments on ABC News, Zelensky defended Ukrainian sovereignty, stating that leadership decisions belong exclusively to Ukrainian voters.
He added that if the US administration sought wartime balloting, Washington should press Moscow for a comprehensive 60-day ceasefire to enable safe voting under martial law.
Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 90% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.