Moscow remains silent on Trump-announced energy ceasefire

President Donald Trump announced that an energy ceasefire had been reached, prompting Kyiv to say it would sign the deal if Russia also agreed. When asked about the claim, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said contacts were ongoing and that officials would speak once there was information to share. Pro-government outlet Moskovsky Komsomolets described Trump’s statement as beneficial to Moscow, noting that it would limit Ukraine’s ability to target Russian refineries while leaving Russian attacks on Ukrainian oil infrastructure unrestricted.

The Kremlin has repeatedly said it seeks a lasting peace rather than a short-term ceasefire, and Peskov rejected proposals for 30- or 60-day pauses. Earlier this week, Russian officials suggested a one-day halt to allow Ukrainian elections, a proposal that Western observers consider insufficient.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for a 60-day ceasefire to enable presidential elections, but Russian leadership has shown little interest in halting hostilities as winter approaches. Analysts note that recent Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil sites have caused fuel shortages in Russia, and that Moscow may use any continuation of such attacks to argue that Ukraine is harming U.S. economic interests and to pressure the United States to reduce support for Kyiv.

The United States and Russia have also discussed a fuel-supply agreement that Trump says will benefit American consumers, though critics question its impact on gasoline prices. The Kremlin appears to view the deal and Trump’s expressed impatience with Zelensky as factors that could advance Russia’s objective of pressuring Ukraine into capitulation.