U.S. President Donald Trump announced an energy ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, signaling a shift in U.S. policy toward Moscow. The move, which Trump claims was agreed to by both sides, comes as tensions rise between Kyiv and Washington over Ukraine's attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.
Trump's announcement follows a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where he reportedly secured a deal to obtain diesel from Russia. The U.S. move is intended to ease global fuel prices ahead of the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, but it has sparked criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who called the decision 'weak' and warned it would enable further Russian aggression.
Zelenskyy has rejected Trump's demand to stop bombing Russian oil refineries, insisting Moscow must first halt its own attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. He has also warned that any ceasefire must be reciprocal and include real guarantees, such as punitive measures against Moscow from U.S. allies. The Ukrainian president has also reported continued Russian attacks on energy facilities, including a strike on a thermal power station in Kharkiv.
The dispute marks a significant escalation in U.S.-Ukraine relations, with Trump threatening to halt the weapons procurement system for Kyiv unless it stops its attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. Meanwhile, U.S. officials have reportedly offered economic incentives to Russia in exchange for a ceasefire, including the release of frozen Russian sovereign assets.