US President Donald Trump has announced that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to stop attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure, in a rare indication of de-escalation in the war. Ukraine, however, immediately cast doubt on whether Moscow would honour the reported understanding.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv was prepared to reciprocate, but only if Russia genuinely stopped targeting Ukraine’s electricity network, energy facilities and other critical infrastructure. Trump made the announcement after urging Zelenskyy to halt Ukrainian strikes on Russian fuel facilities, which he said were contributing to global diesel shortages.

Trump Announces Energy Infrastructure Agreement

Trump said on Truth Social that both sides had agreed to stop attacks on energy targets.

“Ukraine has agreed not to hit Russian Energy targets. Russia has agreed to do, likewise! ” Trump wrote.

He also said the rise in global diesel prices was primarily linked to the Russia-Ukraine war rather than the conflict involving Iran.

Trump’s announcement followed his recent appeal to Zelenskyy to stop targeting Russian diesel-producing facilities. The US president had argued that the attacks were worsening fuel shortages and adding pressure to global energy markets.

Ukraine has carried out a series of long-range drone attacks on Russian oil refineries and other energy infrastructure in recent months.

Kyiv has defended the strikes as an effort to increase the economic cost of Russia’s invasion and disrupt fuel supplies supporting Moscow’s war effort.

Zelenskyy Seeks Guarantees From Russia

Zelenskyy on Monday appeared to qualify Trump’s description of the agreement, saying Ukraine was willing to stop attacking Russian infrastructure but remained uncertain that Moscow would comply.

“Ukraine is not certain that Russia is willing to stick to any agreement,” he wrote on X.

Zelenskyy said Kyiv would be ready to reciprocate if its international partners could ensure that Russia genuinely stopped attacking Ukraine’s electricity network, energy facilities, critical infrastructure and routes used to transport food.

“If partners can “ensure Russia’s genuine desire to refrain from striking our electricity, our other energy facilities, critical infrastructure, or the movement of food supplies, then we, of course, are ready to reciprocate with a corresponding absence of our own strikes,” he wrote.

Zelenskyy stressed that any understanding would have to extend beyond a temporary pause and produce a lasting reduction in attacks on critical infrastructure.

He said an agreement covering such facilities must be “reliable, long-term, and actually have a real impact on people’s lives”.

“We await specifics from our partners,” Zelenskyy added.

Russia Faces Fuel Shortages Amid Refinery Attacks

Russia has been dealing with pressure on domestic fuel supplies after Ukrainian drone attacks disrupted operations at several refineries and reduced fuel production.

The resulting shortages have affected several regions and have become particularly sensitive ahead of Russia’s parliamentary elections scheduled for September 18-20.

Russia had not issued a statement confirming the reported agreement at the time of writing.

Earlier, the Kremlin welcomed Trump’s call for Ukraine to stop attacking Russian economic infrastructure.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said such a call “can only be welcomed”, while identifying instability in the Persian Gulf as a major factor behind recent disruption in global energy markets.

Peskov, however, did not confirm that Russia had agreed to stop attacking Ukrainian energy facilities in return for a halt to Ukrainian strikes on Russian targets.

Previous Ceasefire Raises Questions Over Durability

The latest proposal also comes against the backdrop of previous temporary pauses that failed to produce a sustained reduction in hostilities.

Trump had previously helped secure a three-day ceasefire in May to coincide with Russia’s Victory Day celebrations.

During that period, however, Moscow launched attacks on Ukraine involving 40 drones and a ballistic missile.

That history has contributed to Kyiv’s caution over the latest announcement.

Zelenskyy has not rejected the possibility of halting attacks on energy infrastructure, but his response makes clear that Ukraine does not want to suspend its strikes without credible guarantees that Russia will take the same step.

The reported understanding therefore remains uncertain, with Washington presenting it as a reciprocal agreement while Kyiv awaits details and assurances over Russian compliance.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share