Trump Announces Immediate Russia-Ukraine Energy Ceasefire, but Zelensky Demands Details as Moscow Remains Silent

US President Donald Trump has announced an immediate energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, claiming both countries have agreed to stop attacks on energy infrastructure. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Kyiv is still waiting for details from Washington, while Moscow has yet to publicly confirm the agreement.

Trump made the announcement on Sunday through his Truth Social platform, declaring that the ceasefire was “effective immediately” and warning both sides not to violate it. He did not explain the terms of the arrangement or outline how compliance would be monitored.

The announcement comes amid mounting tensions between Trump and Zelensky over Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries, which the US president has linked to rising diesel prices.

Zelensky Says Ukraine Supports Ceasefire but Wants Guarantees

Zelensky said Ukraine was prepared to support an agreement halting attacks on energy infrastructure but stressed that Russia must also commit to the arrangement.

In a message on Telegram, the Ukrainian leader said he had discussed Trump’s announcement with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

Kyiv was awaiting further information from the American side, Zelensky said, emphasising that a ceasefire would need credible guarantees rather than relying on an unconfirmed announcement.

Earlier on Sunday, he reiterated that Ukraine was willing to stop striking Russian energy facilities if Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an end to attacks on Ukrainian power infrastructure.

Zelensky accused Moscow of being responsible for the conflict and argued that a halt to energy strikes could begin immediately if Russia agreed to the same conditions.

Trump Intensifies Pressure on Kyiv Over Russian Oil Refinery Strikes

The ceasefire announcement followed a sharp deterioration in relations between Trump and Zelensky.

On Saturday, Trump warned the Ukrainian president to stop attacks on Russian oil refineries and suggested that Ukraine should elect a different leader who would be prepared to reach an agreement with Moscow.

Trump argued that Zelensky had missed previous opportunities to negotiate an end to the war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The US president’s pressure has coincided with a surge in global diesel prices, creating a political challenge for his Republican Party ahead of next month’s US midterm elections.

Trump has blamed Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries for contributing to the increase. Zelensky, however, has rejected that argument, pointing instead to the wider impact of the war involving Iran on international fuel markets.

Previous Energy Ceasefire Announcement Raised Questions

Trump had announced another energy ceasefire involving Russia and Ukraine in mid-September, but neither country confirmed that an agreement had been reached.

The latest declaration has therefore raised questions about whether the two sides have formally accepted a new arrangement and what obligations it would impose on their militaries.

With no public confirmation from Moscow at the time of the announcement, the practical details of the proposed ceasefire remained unclear.

The absence of a published framework also left unanswered questions about monitoring, enforcement and what consequences either country would face if attacks on energy facilities continued.

US Reportedly Considers Weapons Pressure to Influence Ukraine

The Financial Times reported on Sunday that Washington was threatening to halt the procurement system used to provide Ukraine with weapons as part of its efforts to persuade Kyiv to stop deep strikes against Russian energy infrastructure.

Such a move would add to the pressure on Ukraine as it continues to depend on Western military assistance to defend against Russian attacks.

Zelensky has maintained that Ukraine should not be expected to suspend its operations while Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities continue.

The dispute highlights the difficult position facing Kyiv as it seeks to preserve its ability to defend itself while responding to growing pressure from one of its most important military partners.

Trump’s Diesel Deal With Russia Faces Criticism

The disagreement has also intensified following Trump’s announcement of a diesel supply arrangement with Russia.

According to the terms described by Trump on Friday, Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel to US and global markets. The volume was estimated at approximately 2.25 million barrels of fuel.

By comparison, the United States exports about 1.5 million barrels of diesel each day.

Analysts cited in the report questioned whether the proposed volumes would be sufficient to deliver sustained reductions in fuel prices.

The arrangement also attracted criticism from US lawmakers. Republican Representative Don Bacon argued that Washington should consider imposing additional sanctions on Russia rather than easing pressure on Moscow.

Zelensky had warned on Saturday that the diesel deal could encourage further Russian attacks and increase civilian casualties in Ukraine.

Ukrainians Reject Trump’s Suggestion for New Leadership

Trump’s call for Ukraine to elect a new leader has provoked anger among some residents of Kyiv, particularly because Ukrainian law prohibits elections under martial law.

Sabina, a primary school teacher quoted in the report, said Ukrainians should decide their own political future and argued that elections could not safely take place during wartime.

She described Trump’s remarks as a betrayal by a partner that Ukraine has relied on for support.

Zelensky has said he would be willing to organise elections if Putin agreed to a complete 60-day ceasefire.

The Ukrainian president stressed that the decision about who leads the country belongs to its citizens, but said the fighting would need to stop first.

Civilian Deaths Underscore Continuing Cost of the War

The ceasefire announcement came as Ukraine continued to suffer deadly Russian attacks.

A six-year-old girl was among those killed in a strike on Zaporizhzhia on Saturday that reduced part of an apartment building to rubble. Her grandfather, Anatoliy Chumniy, was reported to have wept beside her body as he recalled that her birthday was due at the end of the month.

The attack was described in the report as the third mass-casualty strike on Ukraine within a week.

The destruction has added urgency to calls for a reduction in attacks, even as the two countries remain divided over the conditions under which a ceasefire could take effect.

Ukraine Seeks Further European Support

Zelensky said he would continue discussions with European leaders as Kyiv seeks additional military assistance, including air defence systems and ammunition for aircraft used to intercept Russian jet-powered drones.

Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts are also expected to continue at a meeting of the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council on Monday.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha is due to participate in discussions expected to cover stronger sanctions against Russia and progress towards Ukraine’s accession to the EU.

Energy Ceasefire Faces Uncertainty as Both Sides Await Next Steps

Trump’s announcement offers the prospect of a pause in attacks on energy infrastructure, but questions remain over whether Russia and Ukraine have formally agreed to the same terms.

Zelensky has publicly expressed support for a ceasefire while insisting that any arrangement must include reciprocal commitments and credible guarantees. Russia’s position had not been publicly confirmed at the time of the announcement.

The coming discussions between Washington, Kyiv and European partners may help clarify the proposed agreement, but the continuing military and diplomatic tensions leave its implementation uncertain.