WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump said Monday that Ukraine and Russia had agreed not to target each other’s energy infrastructure, following his public criticism of Kyiv’s strikes on Russian oil refineries. The claim, posted on his Truth Social platform, stated: ‘Ukraine has agreed not to hit Russian Energy targets. Russia has agreed to do, likewise!’
The announcement came as global diesel prices surged amid ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, with Trump asserting that the Russia-Ukraine war—not the US-Israel conflict with Iran—was the primary driver of rising fuel costs. Oil prices have climbed for seven consecutive months, contributing to inflation and elevated American fuel expenses weeks before the US midterm elections.
Ukraine’s presidency declined to comment on Trump’s statement, and there was no immediate response from Moscow. Earlier, Trump had publicly urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt attacks on Russian diesel refineries, warning that such strikes were exacerbating fuel shortages. ‘Let him go after targets, but not diesel fuel,’ Trump said during a trip to Ireland on Sunday, reiterating that the Russia-Ukraine war, rather than the Middle East conflict, was to blame for gasoline price increases.
Energy Market Impact
The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported that Gulf oil production remained shut in at over 10 million barrels per day in August, with exports at roughly half their prewar levels. Diesel and gasoline exports averaged 390,000 barrels daily—about a quarter of pre-conflict volumes—further straining global supply. Trump’s February military operation in Iran, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, has been cited as a key factor in disrupting energy markets, though its stated objectives—including halting Iran’s nuclear program and crippling its military—remain unmet.
Policy Shifts and Rhetoric
A year prior, Trump had advocated for NATO to cease purchasing Russian oil, calling such imports “shocking” and threatening major sanctions and tariffs on China. However, his recent remarks reflect a shift in focus, with diesel prices reaching record highs and gasoline nearing $6 per gallon in some US regions. Trump has pledged that the Iran conflict will conclude after the midterms, predicting a subsequent drop in fuel costs.
No Verified Confirmation
Neither Kyiv nor Moscow has officially confirmed the alleged agreement on energy targets. Analysts note that unilateral declarations of restraint are not legally binding, and past ceasefire agreements in the conflict have seen frequent violations.