U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to mutually cease targeting energy facilities, a move that could represent a limited breakthrough in Washington's efforts to de-escalate tensions between Moscow and Kyiv.
Trump wrote on the "Truth Social" platform: "Ukraine has agreed not to launch strikes on Russian energy facilities. Russia has agreed to do exactly the same."
He did not reveal details of the agreement, such as when it would take effect, its duration, or which facilities were included. He also did not clarify if there was a mechanism to monitor compliance.
No immediate comments were issued from Moscow or Kyiv to confirm Trump's announcement.
If both parties confirm and adhere to this understanding, the halt in targeting energy facilities could reduce one of the most significant escalation paths in the conflict. Russia and Ukraine have exchanged attacks on infrastructure and energy-related facilities in recent times.
Trump’s announcement comes as diplomatic efforts, led by the U.S. administration, intensify to reactivate the negotiation path between Moscow and Kyiv.
U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner visited Moscow and Kyiv last week, holding talks with officials from both sides regarding the war and ways to advance negotiations.
Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov described the talks held in Moscow as "substantive, constructive, and very candid."
In his post, Trump also linked the global rise in diesel fuel prices to the Russia-Ukraine war, rejecting the notion that Iran is primarily to blame for the price hike.
He stated: "The global rise in diesel fuel prices is mainly due to the war between Russia and Ukraine, not because of Iran."
This statement adds an economic dimension to the announcement of the energy facility understanding, as global markets monitor the impacts of military conflicts on oil and fuel supplies and prices worldwide.
The true impact of the announced understanding depends on Moscow and Kyiv confirming it, disclosing its details and duration, and addressing any potential breaches.