Trump claims Russia and Ukraine agree energy ceasefire, Moscow silent

US President Donald Trump has said that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to an energy ceasefire, describing it as taking effect immediately, though he gave no further details. Russia has not yet commented on the claim.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was initially surprised by the announcement, but indicated Kyiv would back the move if Moscow also agreed to it. He further accused Russia of striking Ukrainian energy infrastructure after Trump's statement was made.

The development comes after Trump had been pressing Ukraine to halt its strikes on Russian oil facilities, which Kyiv argues are important for limiting the revenue funding Moscow's war effort. Trump wants Russia to be able to proceed with a recently agreed deal to supply diesel to the United States and international markets.

That diesel arrangement, which temporarily lifts sanctions on Russian imports, has drawn increasing criticism. Zelensky described it as a benefit to Russian President Vladimir Putin. European officials and some US politicians, including members of Trump's own Republican party, have also voiced opposition to the deal.

The agreement forms part of Trump's broader push to bring down domestic fuel costs ahead of the midterm elections, after months of dealing with the political fallout from the war with Iran, which has driven up global fuel prices, especially for diesel. This has damaged Trump's public standing, with Americans affected by higher prices at the pump and wider inflation linked to the increases.