US President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an "energy ceasefire" effective immediately, writing "Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!" [3][9][13]. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told Axios the announcement was "news for me" and that Ukraine would accept it if Russia agrees, while reporting Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities after Trump's post [8][13][20]. A senior Ukrainian official told the Kyiv Independent that Kyiv had no information about the ceasefire and expressed doubt that Russia had been informed [20]. The announcement came two days after Trump confirmed a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to suspend sanctions on Russian diesel exports, with Al-Sumaria reporting that 500,000 tons of diesel were allowed for sale to external markets from October 10 and Kun.uz reporting 300,000 tons to the US and world market [4][19][30].
Russia has not commented on the ceasefire announcement [5][22][26]. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has previously stated that Russia will not pause its "special military operation" for negotiations in any format [26][40]. Russia maintains that the energy installations it strikes are legitimate targets because they support Ukraine's military operation [5]. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in September, after meeting Lavrov, that both sides are interested in a temporary halt to strikes on energy and agricultural export infrastructure [26][40].
Zelensky said Russia attacked a power plant in Kyiv with a Shahed drone and struck energy infrastructure in the Kharkiv region after Trump's statement [1][31][40]. "На жаль, протягом всього дня сьогодні у небі були російські «Шахеди»… Щойно був удар по ТЕЦ-5 в місті Харків – по енергетиці Харкова" (Unfortunately, throughout the day today there were Russian Shaheds in the sky... There was just a strike on TPP-5 in the city of Kharkiv — on Kharkiv's energy infrastructure), Zelensky said [40]. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said "el enemigo sigue atacando" (the enemy continues attacking) and that a high-voltage transmission line was damaged, reducing water pressure on both banks of the Dnieper [12]. Kharkiv regional governor Oleh Syniehubov reported a Russian strike near a grocery store killed three people and injured nine [13]. Zelensky said Russia attacked 190 energy facilities and killed 153 civilians in the past week [10].
Zelensky offered to halt Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries if Moscow stops attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure and provides "real guarantees" [5][21][28]. "It's possible to stop strikes on energy infrastructure as early as today, but Putin does not want to do so," Zelensky said [9][14][21]. A Ukrainian drone strike on a Yandex data center in the Vladimir region forced the total closure of the facility [12][23]. The announcement repeats a similar mid-September statement by Trump that produced no change on the ground [22][29][39].
Trump separately told reporters that Ukraine should "get a new president" and accused Zelensky of contributing to higher US diesel prices by allowing strikes on Russian refineries [3][5][21]. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha rejected the call, stating that Zelensky has the support of the Ukrainian people and only Ukrainians have the right to choose their president [23][33]. Kyiv resident Sabina, a primary school teacher, said "No one has the right to tell us what to do, especially since elections cannot be held during wartime" [21]. Another Kyiv resident, Olesia Goncharuk, said "We Ukrainians decide our own fate and our own freedom, and we are free people" [7]. Zelensky offered to hold elections if Russia agreed to a 60-day total ceasefire [5][16][17].
A bipartisan group of US senators — reported as seven by El País and the BBC and six by DW — called on Trump to cancel the diesel deal, stating that Congress explicitly prohibited Russian energy imports to prevent US dollars from funding Putin's war [5][8][12]. Senator Thom Tillis said the deal "absolutely will" put American lives at risk [5][46]. Republican Representative Don Bacon said it is time to apply more sanctions on Russia, not lift them [21]. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the diesel deal "is in direct opposition to the efforts of Ukraine, Canada and our allies to create peace and stability in Europe" [7][8]. UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the UK does not support the diesel deal, and EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas echoed Zelensky's criticism [5][46]. Zelensky called the diesel arrangement a "weak step" that gives Russia money to continue the war [19][23].
European leaders endorsed the push for a genuine energy ceasefire while faulting Russia's continued strikes. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham "strongly supports President Trump's call today for a sustained energy ceasefire to start now" [5][8]. French President Emmanuel Macron said France supports a "real energy ceasefire" but "Russia continues to refuse that, by lately intensifying further its strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure" [7][15][25]. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed full support for Zelensky's call for a ceasefire protecting energy infrastructure and confirmed approximately EUR 3 billion in additional military support for Ukraine next week [7][28][31]. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said "Europe needs stability and that means that we are very clearly continuing to stay by the side of Ukraine and its government" [7].
Analysts and researchers argued that an energy truce would require verification and monitoring to hold. The Center for Strategic and International Studies published commentary arguing that an energy truce is possible only with precise rules, independent verification, and predefined consequences, citing the failed March 2025 moratorium [35]. Ukrainian Center for Security and Cooperation co-founder Oksana Kuzan said a new energy truce would require round-the-clock monitoring and clear mechanisms for verifying violations [34]. Razumkov Centre analyst Volodymyr Omelchenko said without guarantees the "energy truce" will become a trap for Kyiv [32]. Ukrainian MP Oleksandr Merezhko said "There is a 100% certainty based on experience that Putin never keeps agreements" [34] and warned of "a new Molotov-Ribbentrop pact and a world of strongmen and spheres of influence" [14].
Hungarian Institute of Foreign Affairs deputy director András Rácz said the US-Russia diesel deal politically favors Putin because the volumes would be too small to lower US fuel prices [29]. Associate researcher Ulrich Bounat argued that Trump falsely presents the surge in diesel prices as a direct consequence of the Ukraine war [25]. Politico Europe reported that Trump announced the energy truce while easing sanctions on Russia to relieve domestic pressure from rising oil prices [24].
Global fuel markets responded to the ceasefire announcement. Brent crude fell 1.3% to $103.4 and WTI fell 1.5% to $90 at the open on October 12 [45]. Market analyst Tim Waterer of KCM Trade said the key question is the credibility and durability of the agreements and that oil will struggle to fall much without clearer evidence [45]. The OPEC+ Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee expressed concern over attacks on energy infrastructure and disrupted maritime routes [42]. Bangladesh raised petrol, diesel, kerosene, and octane prices by 20 taka per litre, attributing the increase to the Russia-Ukraine war and Middle East conflict raising global fuel and freight costs [48].
The Kyiv Independent reported that Trump privately doubts Putin will agree to an energy ceasefire before winter, even as envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner returned from Moscow with a more optimistic assessment [34]. Zelensky said he discussed the proposal with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte while awaiting details from Washington [20].