Trump Claims Energy Ceasefire as Russia Continues Strikes on Ukrainian Power Facilities

US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday, 11 October 2026, that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an immediate energy ceasefire, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Russian forces continued striking energy sites afterward.

Trump posted on Truth Social: “Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!” He provided no written text of the arrangement and no confirmation from the Kremlin. Zelenskyy told Axios the announcement was news to him, but said Ukraine would accept the deal if Russia did. He later stated that Ukraine had refrained from attacking Russian refineries overnight and remained ready to sign guarantees.

On Monday, Zelenskyy said Russia had hit at least six energy targets, including a power plant in Kharkiv, a gas production facility and a civilian gas station. He spoke at the Warsaw Security Forum and noted that the strikes began hours after Trump’s statement. Trump, when asked about the continued attacks, said there had been violations on both sides and that he would look into them. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said talks were continuing.

The announcement followed Trump’s deal with Vladimir Putin for Russia to release 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately, another 500,000 tonnes in November and a further one million thereafter. The Treasury Department authorised temporary sanctions relief. Trump has repeatedly pressed Zelenskyy to stop strikes on Russian oil infrastructure, arguing that those attacks raise US diesel prices, which stood near 6.19 dollars per gallon. Zelenskyy called the diesel arrangement a concession that could fund Moscow’s war.

This is not the first time Trump has declared an energy ceasefire. A similar announcement in September was not confirmed by either side and did not halt strikes. European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, expressed support for a sustained energy truce. NATO officials have separately warned of Russian sabotage risks across Europe. Ukrainian forces have conducted more than 200 strikes on electricity generation and transmission facilities this week alone, according to Zelenskyy, while Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy have continued for years.

Brent crude fell to about 103 dollars a barrel and West Texas Intermediate to about 91 dollars after the announcement and the diesel deal, though prices remain elevated because of disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz linked to the Iran conflict. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Moscow could restore diesel exports to pre-war levels by year-end.

The immediate consequence is continued damage to Ukraine’s power grid as winter approaches, despite the public claim of a ceasefire. Whether Moscow observes any restriction, and whether Washington applies pressure on both sides, will determine if the arrangement has any operational effect. For now, the public record shows a unilateral US announcement, Ukrainian willingness, and documented Russian strikes afterward.