Trump Announces Russia-Ukraine ‘Energy Ceasefire’; Zelensky Says ‘News To Me’

US President Donald Trump on Sunday, October 11, announced an immediate “energy ceasefire” between Russia and Ukraine, claiming that both countries had agreed to stop attacks on energy infrastructure. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed surprise at the announcement, saying he had not been informed of any such agreement.

“Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, without providing details about the agreement or how it would be implemented. Neither Moscow nor Kyiv had immediately confirmed the deal. Sources: Associated Press and Al Jazeera.

Zelensky Says Announcement Was ‘News For Me’

Responding to Trump’s statement, Zelensky told Axios that the ceasefire announcement had come as a surprise to him but said Ukraine would be willing to participate if Russia agreed to the arrangement.

“The ceasefire announcement was news for me. But if Russians agree to an energy ceasefire, Ukraine will agree,” Zelensky said, according to Axios reporter Barak Ravid.

The Ukrainian president also indicated that Kyiv was prepared to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries if Moscow stopped targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

“If President Trump negotiated it with Putin, please tell us when the ceasefire begins — we are ready and we will accept it,” Zelensky said, according to reports.

His remarks highlighted uncertainty over whether a formal agreement had been reached and whether both sides were prepared to implement it.

Trump-Zelensky Tensions Over Russian Oil Attacks

Trump’s announcement came amid growing differences between Washington and Kyiv over Ukraine’s attacks on Russian energy facilities.

On Saturday, Trump criticised Zelensky for targeting Russian oil refineries, arguing that such attacks were contributing to pressure on global fuel prices. He also suggested that Ukraine needed a new president, intensifying the public disagreement between the two leaders.

The comments followed Washington’s decision to temporarily ease sanctions on Russian fuel exports in an effort to increase supplies and address rising energy prices.

Zelensky, meanwhile, criticised the easing of restrictions, arguing that reducing pressure on Moscow could encourage Russia to continue its military campaign against Ukraine.

The Ukrainian president has maintained that any halt to attacks on energy infrastructure must be reciprocal rather than a unilateral concession by Kyiv. Sources: Al Jazeera and Associated Press.

Zelensky Proposes 60-Day Ceasefire For Elections

Separately, Zelensky said Ukraine could organise elections if Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a 60-day total ceasefire.

Speaking to ABC News’ This Week, the Ukrainian leader said a two-month halt in fighting would provide an opportunity to arrange the electoral process.

“Please tell Putin, give us two months, 60 days of total ceasefire, 60 days, and we will organize elections,” Zelensky said.

His remarks followed Trump’s criticism of his leadership. Zelensky responded that the choice of Ukraine’s president was a decision for Ukrainian citizens.

Ukraine has been under martial law since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, creating legal obstacles to holding elections during wartime.

Energy Infrastructure Remains A Key Target

Energy facilities have remained important targets throughout the Russia-Ukraine war, with both countries carrying out attacks on infrastructure deep inside each other’s territory.

Russian strikes have damaged Ukrainian energy facilities and residential areas, while Ukrainian forces have targeted Russian oil refineries and other infrastructure used to support Moscow’s economy and military operations.

A halt to such attacks could help reduce pressure on energy supplies ahead of winter, when demand for heating and electricity typically rises.

However, Trump’s announcement did not specify the duration of the proposed ceasefire, its monitoring arrangements or the consequences of any violations.

With Zelensky saying he was unaware of the agreement and Russia yet to confirm it, the immediate question remains whether the announcement will translate into a mutually accepted and enforceable pause in attacks on energy infrastructure.