A surprise post, and silence from Moscow
Trump wrote on Truth Social on Oct 11 that there was an "ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine", adding that "both parties have agreed" and "do not break it". He gave no terms. The Kremlin did not respond, and Ukrainian officials said they had not been told what the deal covers.
Volodymyr Zelensky said he was waiting for details from the American side. In a post on X, he said he had discussed the announcement with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney and Finland's President, and that Ukraine supports a ceasefire but Russia must support it too. He also said only Russia is responsible for the war.
According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project, Ukrainian forces have averaged about three attacks a month on oil and fuel infrastructure in and around Moscow since May 2026, part of a wider campaign to cut Russian energy revenue.
Diesel prices drive the timing
The push follows days of pressure from Trump, who blames Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries for high diesel prices. On Oct 10 he warned Zelensky that he had "better damn well stop" the attacks and urged Ukrainians to elect a new leader, saying Zelensky had missed chances to make a deal.
On Oct 9, the US Treasury issued a temporary licence allowing the sale, delivery and import of Russian-origin diesel, including into the United States, through April 7, 2027. AAA put the US average diesel price at $6.28 a gallon on Oct 11, down from a Sept 22 peak of $6.53 but far above $3.67 a year earlier.
Midterm pressure in the background
Trump has made fuel costs a priority before November's midterm elections, where voters list prices and the economy among their top concerns. A Financial Times and Focaldata poll released Oct 11 put his approval rating at 34%.
Analysts said a halt to strikes on refineries and pipelines could ease European gas prices as winter demand builds, since storage levels are at a seasonal low. They also warned that a deal announced without visible terms may not hold, and that easing sanctions on Russian fuel weakens Ukraine's leverage in any wider negotiation.