U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Sept. 14 that Ukraine and Russia have agreed to halt strikes on energy targets, a move he suggested would help lower rising global fuel prices. Neither country has confirmed the alleged agreement, and Ukraine's presidential office did not respond to a request for comment. Trump previously blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for soaring diesel prices.
The claim of an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, if true, could impact global energy markets by stabilizing fuel supplies and potentially lowering prices. However, the lack of confirmation from either warring party and the ongoing nature of the conflict suggest significant uncertainty around the alleged agreement.
U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Sept. 14 that Ukraine and Russia have agreed to halt strikes on "energy targets," a move he suggested would help alleviate rising global fuel prices. Trump stated on his Truth Social platform that "Ukraine has agreed not to hit Russian Energy Targets. Russia has agreed to do, likewise!" He further asserted that the world's diesel price rise is "mostly caused by the Russia/Ukraine war, not Iran."
Neither Ukraine nor Russia has confirmed that such a deal has been struck. Ukraine's Presidential Office did not respond to a request for comment at the time of publication.
The announcement follows Trump's direct criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sept. 13, where he blamed Zelensky for soaring diesel prices, including a record $6.23 per gallon in the U.S. Trump urged Zelensky to "stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia" and focus on other targets.
Trump also referenced his own actions against Iran, stating they "knocked out more than 20% of Middle Eastern refining capacity and effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, which previously carried roughly a fifth of global oil supplies."
Meanwhile, Ukraine has continued to target Russian oil infrastructure as a key strategy to disrupt fuel supplies and reduce Moscow's war financing. This campaign has escalated over the past year with advancements in Ukraine's long-range drone capabilities.
Previous proposals for a limited "energy truce" have been raised during peace talks mediated by the Trump administration in the summer of 2025. On Sept. 13, Zelensky announced plans to discuss halting Russian and Ukrainian strikes on energy infrastructure and in the Black Sea during a potential meeting with Trump, possibly on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly between Sept. 21-23. Zelensky stated he was "open to a maritime ceasefire, as well as an energy ceasefire."
Russia's reaction to Kyiv's recent proposals has been muted. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov commented on Sept. 10 that Kyiv is not offering a "permanent settlement that would fully align with (Russian) interests" and is merely seeking a truce in an area considered Ukraine's "Achilles' heel."