President Zelenskyy: ‘We will stop’ strikes on Russian diesel if Russia pauses attacks
President Zelenskyy Ties Refinery Strikes to Energy Security
Tyunews.com – President Zelenskyy said Ukraine would stop targeting Russian diesel production and refinery facilities if Russia halted attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. He presented the proposal as a reciprocal measure that could reduce escalation while Ukraine continues to defend its civilians and power system.
In an interview aired on Oct. 11, 2026, President Zelenskyy said Kyiv remained ready for peace talks, a ceasefire and initial steps toward de-escalation. He said Ukraine’s refinery strikes were connected to Russia’s continuing attacks on the country’s energy network.
“I said it to President Trump … to his team and to his people several times: we want peace, we are ready for [a] ceasefire, we are ready to begin from any kind of steps of de-escalation,” Zelenskyy said.
His position was that Russia should stop targeting Ukrainian energy facilities and civilians, while Ukraine would cease strikes on Russian diesel-related sites. President Zelenskyy described that exchange as a fair arrangement.
“Don't attack us. Don't kill our children. We will stop attack[ing] your diesel. And I think it's [a] fair, fair deal,” Zelenskyy said.
Trump Announces Claimed Energy Ceasefire
After the interview aired, President Donald Trump said on social media that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an immediate energy ceasefire. He warned both sides not to violate the reported arrangement.
“Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!” Trump wrote.
But a senior source in the Ukrainian presidential office said President Zelenskyy and his office had not been told about the announcement beforehand. According to the source, Ukrainian officials had no information about such an agreement when they learned of Trump’s post.
The conflicting accounts highlighted the challenge of arranging and enforcing a limited halt in attacks while the broader war continues. Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s energy system, while Ukrainian strikes on Russian refining capacity have become part of Kyiv’s effort to limit resources supporting Moscow’s war effort.
Disagreement Over Russian Diesel Facilities
Trump had criticized Ukraine’s strikes on Russian refineries, saying they were increasing pressure on global diesel supplies during a wider energy crisis. He said Ukraine could act against Russia in other ways but should avoid refinery attacks because of their potential global economic consequences.
“We said you could do whatever you want to Russia, don't hit the refineries, because that's a world problem that's caused. And [Zelenskyy] wants to make problems for the world,” Trump said.
Trump also pointed to a shortage of diesel refining capacity, arguing that attacks on those facilities had effects beyond the battlefield. A senior Ukrainian source said Kyiv expected the Trump administration to stop sharing U.S. intelligence used to track Russian missile launches after Ukraine declined to end attacks on Russia’s oil industry.
That intelligence can be important for Ukraine because information about missile launches may provide advance warning during Russian attacks. President Zelenskyy continued to argue that Ukraine needs American support to protect its population and critical infrastructure.
Pressure on U.S.-Ukraine Relations
The dispute came amid a difficult relationship between Trump and President Zelenskyy. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and the war has fueled repeated disagreements over military assistance, negotiations and the conditions for reducing the fighting.
In 2025, a meeting involving Trump, Zelenskyy and Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office became a public confrontation. Trump and Vance criticized Zelenskyy’s handling of the war and falsely blamed him for starting the conflict.
The latest disagreement also followed Trump’s announcement that the United States had reached a deal with Russia to import 300,000 tons of diesel fuel immediately, with millions more tons expected later. President Zelenskyy criticized the arrangement as a strategic concession to Moscow.
“It plays into Russia’s hands – allowing it to kill more, wage war for longer, have even less respect for America, and inflict even greater losses and damage on the world,” Zelenskyy said.
He called for continued U.S. backing for Ukraine’s defense and urged Washington to take a firmer approach toward Russia.
FAQ: What Does the Proposed Energy Pause Mean?
What did President Zelenskyy propose?
He said Ukraine would stop attacks on Russian diesel production and refinery sites if Russia stopped attacking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Was an energy ceasefire confirmed by Ukraine?
No confirmation was provided by Ukraine at the time. A senior Ukrainian presidential-office source said officials had not been informed in advance of Trump’s statement announcing an energy ceasefire.
Why are refinery strikes contentious?
Ukraine views attacks on Russian refinery capacity as part of its defense against Russia’s war effort. Trump said those strikes could worsen global diesel-supply pressures and create broader economic consequences.