Russia Welcomes Trump's Energy Ceasefire Proposal Amid New Attacks

The Russian government on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, welcomed United States President Donald Trump's suggestion for Russia and Ukraine to cease mutual attacks on each other's energy infrastructure.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the proposal as an energy ceasefire and a very good idea overall. Peskov stated Russia would stay in touch with Washington, but insisted Russia must also be allowed to export its oil unhindered, adding it is necessary to ensure safe commercial shipping and navigation here, including for oil tankers. President Donald Trump claimed on social media Monday evening that both Ukraine and Russia had agreed not to strike energy targets.

Trump wrote, "Ukraine has agreed not to hit Russian Energy targets. Russia has agreed to do, likewise!" He attributed the "World's Diesel price rise" mostly to the "Russia/Ukraine War." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, however, spoke only of a strong US proposal for a mutual halt to strikes on critical infrastructure. Zelenskyy stated Ukraine is ready to support de-escalation if American partners can ensure Russia is genuinely ready to stop this war.

Despite Trump's claim, both sides launched new energy attacks overnight into Tuesday. Russia fired a volley of 200 drones at Ukrainian cities, killing two people, one in Kyiv and another in Zaporizhzhia. Russian strikes hit energy and port facilities, petrol stations in Kyiv, warehouses, and homes. Kyiv's military reported striking the Syzran oil refinery in Russia's Samara region.

Ukrainian officials also reported attacks on a drone production facility in Taganrog and a drone preparation and launch site in the Oryol region. Since early 2026, Ukraine's Armed Forces have attacked Russian oil refineries over 70 times, disabling dozens of facilities, causing oil refining in Russia to fall to its lowest level since 2002. Russia has banned diesel fuel exports until January 31, 2027, citing a fuel crisis.

Ukraine maintains that refineries are legitimate military targets. Trump previously urged Zelenskyy to stop knocking out diesel fuel targets in Russia, stating the attacks contributed to a global shortage. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on what had been agreed.