Trump Claims Energy Ceasefire Holds Amidst New Ukrainian Reports of Russian Strikes

President Donald Trump has asserted that an agreement for Russia and Ukraine to halt attacks on each other's energy infrastructure is in effect, urging both nations to conclude the ongoing conflict. These statements from Trump on Monday came despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reporting that Russian forces had targeted at least six Ukrainian energy facilities since the US president announced the truce on Sunday.

"Well, they agreed," Trump told reporters, referring to Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. "Because I said, ‘You agree’. That’s why they agreed, because I said they agree." When questioned about the reported Russian strikes, Trump responded, "Well, I’d have to look at it and see, because there’s been violations on both sides." The US president characterized the war, initiated by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, as a "disaster," claiming, without providing evidence, that over 32,000 people had been killed this month alone. "All I know is that Zelenskyy and Putin have to get together and end that ridiculous war," he stated.

Kyiv was reportedly blindsided by Trump's announcement of the purported energy ceasefire on Sunday. This declaration followed his decision two days prior to temporarily ease US sanctions on Russian diesel, a move that generated significant backlash in Europe and Ukraine. Zelenskyy indicated that this action reversed years of Western efforts to isolate Russia's economy and would serve to embolden Putin. Lawmakers from both major US political parties have also suggested that the diesel decision may contravene US law, with several Republicans objecting that it undermines legislation Trump himself signed to increase restrictions on Moscow.

Zelenskyy stated on Monday that Ukraine supports an energy ceasefire and had not conducted any attacks on Russian refineries overnight. He added that Kyiv was prepared to sign "guarantees to make sure they can be trusted." However, he also noted that it was "increasingly evident" that Moscow would not adhere to the agreement. "Today alone, the Russians have attacked 6 energy facilities in Ukraine. 33 people were wounded across the country," Zelenskyy posted on social media. "This is what happens when Russia sees the prospect of higher revenues for its war machine." Conversely, Russia has rejected any cessation of hostilities, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov vowing to continue the military campaign. "I do not think he deserves a respite," Lavrov said of Zelenskyy. "I don’t think we’ll be buying into assurances and promises again." He affirmed that Russia would persist in pursuing the objectives of its "special military operation" in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Trump has positioned Ukraine, rather than Russia, as the primary impediment to peace. He has asserted that Putin is more inclined towards a deal than Zelenskyy and has encouraged Ukrainians to vote their president out of office, marking an unusually critical stance in a relationship that has been strained since Trump's return to the White House in 2025. Al Jazeera's Alan Fisher, reporting from Washington, DC, noted that Trump has previously announced agreements between Russia and Ukraine that ultimately did not materialize. "He says he wants to protect industries in the US like farmers and ranchers, and to do that he needs the price to go down. But it seems that he thinks there’s a deal, but no one else is sure that there actually is one," Fisher commented.

The latest announcement, according to Fisher, appeared to be motivated by Trump's desire to lower diesel prices ahead of the US midterm elections on November 3. Most polls indicate that Republicans are likely to lose control of Congress as voters express frustration with rising prices, particularly for gasoline. An opinion survey released on October 1 by the Associated Press news agency and the University of Chicago suggested that 65 percent of US adults attribute the high cost of living to the White House, specifically citing Trump’s tariff policies and his new war against Iran.

Ukraine's European allies, in the meantime, have expressed skepticism regarding the energy ceasefire and have approved the most extensive set of European Union sanctions since Russia's 2022 invasion. The bloc's foreign ministers added approximately 1,569 individuals and businesses to the EU's sanctions list to maintain pressure on Moscow. "Russia will only negotiate seriously under pressure, which is why we are sticking to our sanctions against Russia," stated German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin.