Trump: Russia and Ukraine agree to halt mutual strikes on energy infrastructure

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to stop mutually striking each other’s energy infrastructure, a claim he posted on his social platform Truth Social on September 14, 2026. The declaration follows a round of U.S. diplomatic activity this week and comes amid rising fuel prices after renewed conflict in the Middle East.

Responses from Kyiv and Moscow

Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, replied that Kyiv would be prepared to halt strikes on Russia only if allies can guarantee that Moscow ceases attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities, infrastructure and food-supply routes. Zelenskyy posted on X on September 14, 2026: "There is now a strong U.S. proposal for a mutual halt to strikes on critical infrastructure. If this can become the first de-escalatory step – a step toward ending Russian strikes on our critical infrastructure and our strikes in response – then Ukraine is ready to support…"

The Kremlin welcomed Trump’s call for Ukraine to stop strikes on Russian energy targets but did not commit to matching Kyiv’s restraint. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Moscow would not specify whether it would reciprocate and added that Russian forces will continue operations across Ukraine.

On Truth Social Trump wrote: "Ukraine has agreed not to target Russian energy targets. Russia has agreed to do the same." He also argued publicly that attacks on oil and diesel facilities worsen global diesel shortages and pushed Kyiv to avoid striking fuel infrastructure.

Speaking during a visit to Ireland, Trump told reporters he had discussed the matter with Zelenskyy and urged Ukraine to choose other military targets instead of oil infrastructure, saying: "There are many other targets. Do not target diesel fuel."

Trump’s appeal came days after U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner visited Kyiv and Moscow in a renewed effort to bring the parties closer to negotiations. Observers say the talks were described by participants as substantive, but they have not produced an on-the-ground change in the fighting.

Fighting continues: Russia keeps striking Ukrainian civilian, logistics and energy assets ahead of winter, while Ukraine has maintained long-range drone strikes on energy and military sites inside Russia, campaigns Kyiv has called "long-range sanctions." Since the summer, those Ukrainian strikes have contributed to fuel shortages in parts of Russia and growing domestic discontent over the effects of the five-year conflict.

Photo: EPA/WILL OLIVER