Trump Announces Energy Ceasefire Between Russia and Ukraine; Zelenskyy Calls It News to Him

US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday, 11 October 2026, that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an “energy ceasefire” effective immediately. In a post on Truth Social he wrote: “Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!” He gave no further details on terms, monitoring or duration.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Axios the announcement was news to him. He added that if Russia agreed to an energy ceasefire, Ukraine would accept it. In a later statement he said Ukraine supports the ceasefire and that it is important Russia supports it as well, while awaiting details from the American side. He had spoken earlier with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.

Hours before Trump’s post, Zelenskyy had told ABC that Ukraine was ready for an energy ceasefire if Russia stopped attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure. He repeated his condition that any halt must be reciprocal. He also said he would call elections if Putin agreed to a 60-day full ceasefire. Ukrainian elections have been suspended since the 2022 invasion.

The announcement follows Trump’s criticism of Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries. On Saturday he said Zelenskyy “better damn well stop” and that it was time for Ukraine to get a new president. The previous day the US had agreed with Moscow to suspend sanctions on Russian diesel exports until 7 April, a move Zelenskyy called a gift to Putin that would fund further fighting. Russia has continued strikes on Ukrainian energy sites and cities.

Neither Moscow nor Kyiv immediately confirmed a formal agreement. Ukrainian officials told reporters they had read the post the same way as everyone else. Trump has framed the diesel deal as a way to lower fuel prices for American farmers, ranchers and truckers. European leaders have expressed solidarity with Zelenskyy. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham reiterated complete solidarity and support for an energy ceasefire.

The practical question is whether strikes on energy infrastructure will actually stop. Ukrainian drones have hit Russian refineries and data centres in recent weeks. Russian attacks have damaged Ukrainian power plants and left civilians without electricity. An energy-only pause would leave other fighting untouched. Trump has repeatedly said Zelenskyy could have settled the war earlier.

Zelenskyy has insisted that the cause of the war is Russia alone and that any de-escalation needs real guarantees. The immediate effect of Trump’s post is a public claim of an agreement whose existence both capitals have not fully confirmed, alongside continued pressure on Kyiv to halt refinery strikes while US sanctions on Russian diesel are eased.