Trump announces a Russia–Ukraine «energy ceasefire»; Zelensky says he was not informed
On 10 October, US President Donald Trump said both sides had agreed to an energy ceasefire. Ukraine's president said he had no prior knowledge; after the announcement Russia continued its strikes.
US President Donald Trump said an energy ceasefire had been declared between Russia and Ukraine. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, however, said he had no prior knowledge of the deal, and after the announcement Russia continued to strike.
What Trump said
On 10 October, Donald Trump wrote on his social-media account: «Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!» According to a US official, the deal initially covers only oil refineries.
Ukraine's reaction
Volodymyr Zelensky said he had not known of the deal in advance and learned of it from the media. He said he had not heard any approval of the proposal from the Russian side. Ukrainian officials called the deal lopsided: Ukraine has effectively one working oil refinery, while Russia has many.
After the announcement, Russia struck Ukrainian energy infrastructure, including a thermal power plant in Kharkiv. On 11–12 October, Zelensky accused Russia of breaking the ceasefire and said Ukraine would respond if attacks continued.
Europe's move
At the same time, the European Union imposed almost 1,600 new sanctions on Russia's military-industrial complex. EU foreign-policy chief Kaja Kallas called it the single largest expansion of the sanctions list since the war began.
