WASHINGTON — President Trump said Sunday that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an energy cease-fire, just days after drawing criticism in Kyiv by announcing a deal to purchase diesel from Moscow.
“Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Both parties have agreed. Do not break it! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
Ukraine had been targeting Russian energy infrastructure, especially oil refineries, in response to comparable strikes carried out by the Kremlin inside Ukraine. The Trump administration has blamed those Ukrainian attacks for contributing to a sharp rise in diesel prices.
The national diesel price, now averaging $6.28 per gallon according to the American Automobile Association, has created a political challenge for Trump ahead of the midterm elections.
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While the United States has halted imports from Russia, Energy Secretary Chris Wright has argued that Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries have disrupted the global diesel supply and pushed up prices for American consumers.
Trump announced the proposed purchase on Friday after speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The plan calls for the United States to buy 300,000 tons of diesel immediately, followed by 500,000 tons in November and another 1 million tons afterward.
The announcement prompted an angry response from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who called the arrangement a “betrayal.” It also triggered bipartisan criticism in the United States.
Critics have questioned whether Trump has the legal authority to purchase Russian diesel without congressional approval under the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act of 2022.
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