Trump Claims 'Energy Ceasefire' Between Russia and Ukraine After Oil Deal

Former President Donald Trump has asserted that an "energy ceasefire" is now in effect between Russia and Ukraine, following a recent oil agreement he brokered with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump announced the development on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, stating, "Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!"

This claim comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated he would be willing to hold elections if Putin backs a 60-day pause in fighting. However, Zelensky also directly addressed Trump's earlier remarks, telling ABC News, "First of all, with all respect to President Trump, it's up to our society, up to our people to choose one or another leader."

Trump had previously suggested that Zelensky should seek a new leader, stating on Saturday that the Ukrainian president "could have made many deals, and for some reason, he never does." He further commented that the conflict, which he claimed started due to "incompetence" on Zelensky's part, was "a war that should have never started."

Zelensky responded to Trump's suggestion by saying, "Please tell Putin, give us two months, 60 days of total ceasefire, 60 days, and we will organise elections." He added that the decision of who leads Ukraine rests with the Ukrainian people.

Earlier, Trump announced a deal to import nearly two million tons of Russian oil into the U.S., a move he has linked to stabilizing fuel prices ahead of the midterm elections. This agreement reportedly followed Zelensky's refusal to halt strikes on Russian oil infrastructure, which Trump argued were contributing to rising diesel prices in the United States. A U.S. official, speaking to Axios, suggested that Zelensky was "misreading the room" and that continuing the strikes was eroding goodwill with Trump.

The timing of Trump's oil deal and his subsequent comments have drawn criticism from some international figures. Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the decision to lift sanctions on Russian fuel "sickening" and "transparently ridiculous" to blame Ukraine for price spikes. He stated that such actions would not stop Putin's actions and that the war should end with a "free, sovereign and independent Ukraine."

British Defence Secretary Wes Streeting suggested that Trump might be influenced by domestic political pressures related to the approaching midterms and cost of living concerns. "No doubt President Trump is feeling the same pressure that lots of leaders are facing in terms of wanting to ease cost-of-living pressures, energy prices," Streeting commented. He added that while he acknowledges the U.S. administration's engagement with Ukraine, his government would "obviously prefer a stronger approach on sanctions."

In the immediate aftermath of the Trump-Putin call, Russia reportedly launched a new strike on Zaporizhzhia, killing seven civilians, including three children, and leaving ten wounded and 16 missing. These casualties added to a total of nearly 90 civilians killed by Russia in the preceding three days.