Russia and Ukraine resume energy strikes despite ceasefire claims

Russia and Ukraine resume energy strikes despite ceasefire claims

President Donald Trump’s claim of a cease-fire was contradicted on 15 September when Russia and Ukraine launched new strikes against each other’s energy infrastructure overnight, NBC News reported. Earlier in September, U. S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Moscow and met President Vladimir Putin, where both sides pledged a three-day halt to strikes on each other’s capitals, AP News reported. The envoys then travelled to Kyiv for talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but aerial attacks continued, AP News noted.

President Trump and President Putin later held a one-hour phone call described as constructive, Al Jazeera reported, while the Kremlin said Putin assured Trump that Russia had no aggressive plans for Europe. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov subsequently said Moscow would keep its military operations during negotiations, and President Putin warned that deploying European troops to Kyiv would amount to war with Russia, The Independent reported. Kushner later said Ukraine’s refusal to cede the Donbas was stalling a peace deal, The Kyiv Independent reported, and Trump publicly urged Zelenskyy to halt attacks on Russian diesel refineries, CBS News reported. Zelenskyy later expressed doubt that any pause would be honoured, NBC News reported.

Actors

Steve Witkoff Jared Kushner Donald Trump Volodymyr Zelensky Vladimir Putin William Burns

Locations

Moscow, Russia Kyiv, Ukraine Helsinki, Finland Dnipro region, Ukraine
Verdict: Partial Confidence: 62% Claims: 2
At a glance

The claim that on September 12, 2026, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that sending European forces to Ukraine would amount to a war with Russia has insufficient evidence. The claim that on September 8, 2026, President Vladimir Putin told President Donald Trump in a phone call that Moscow has no hostile intentions toward Europe is partially confirmed.

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This section contains an automated verification of claims against external sources and may contain inaccuracies.

Articles

September 15, 2026
1 total
Russia and Ukraine resume attacks on energy sites despite ceasefire claims
Russia and Ukraine resume attacks on energy sites despite ceasefire claims

NBC News • 15 Sep 14:48

Both Russia and Ukraine launched new strikes on energy infrastructure overnight, contradicting President Trump's statement that a ceasefire had been reached.

Credibility 68% Manip. 45% Center
September 14, 2026
3 total
Zelenskyy doubts Trump’s claim of a Ukraine-Russia energy strike pause
Zelenskyy doubts Trump’s claim of a Ukraine-Russia energy strike pause

politico.eu • 14 Sep 18:52

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv does not trust that Russia will honor a supposed agreement to halt attacks on energy infrastructure, contradicting statements made by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Credibility 72% Manip. 27% Center
Zelensky says Ukraine could pause strikes on Russian energy if Moscow honors reciprocal deal
Zelensky says Ukraine could pause strikes on Russian energy if Moscow honors reciprocal deal

cnbc.com • 14 Sep 16:03

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv would stop targeting Russian energy facilities if Russia reliably refrains from attacking Ukrainian infrastructure, but expressed doubt about Moscow's willingness to honor such an agreement.

Credibility 71% Manip. 12% Center
Trump urges Ukraine to halt attacks on Russian diesel refineries amid record U.S. diesel prices
Trump urges Ukraine to halt attacks on Russian diesel refineries amid record U.S. diesel prices

CNBC • 14 Sep 07:22

President Donald Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop targeting Russian diesel-producing facilities as U.S. diesel prices rose above $6 per gallon, while Russia extended its diesel export ban.

Credibility 72% Manip. 12% Center
September 13, 2026
4 total
Trump urges Ukraine to cease attacks on Russian diesel refineries amid global price surge
Trump urges Ukraine to cease attacks on Russian diesel refineries amid global price surge

politico.eu • 13 Sep 16:02

During a visit to Ireland, President Donald Trump asked Ukraine to stop targeting Russian oil facilities, saying the strikes were driving up diesel prices, while a senior European official suggested the U.S. was using Kyiv as a scapegoat.

Credibility 72% Manip. 32% Left
Jared Kushner faces ridicule after suggesting Ukraine concede territory in peace talks
Jared Kushner faces ridicule after suggesting Ukraine concede territory in peace talks

The Daily Beast • 13 Sep 15:46

At a diplomatic forum, Jared Kushner's remarks that Ukraine should cede territory to Russia to end the war prompted laughter from attendees, highlighting skepticism over his negotiation stance.

Credibility 57% Manip. 46% Left
Trump urges Ukraine to cease attacks on Russian diesel facilities amid ongoing drone strikes
Trump urges Ukraine to cease attacks on Russian diesel facilities amid ongoing drone strikes

CBS News • 13 Sep 14:37

President Trump asked Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to stop targeting Russian refineries, while both sides continued drone attacks that killed civilians in Russia and Ukraine.

Credibility 58% Manip. 10% Center
Kushner says Ukraine's refusal to cede Donbas stalls peace negotiations
Kushner says Ukraine's refusal to cede Donbas stalls peace negotiations

The Kyiv Independent • 13 Sep 10:01

U.S. envoy Jared Kushner said Ukraine's rejection of Russian demands for territory in the Donbas is hindering progress on a peace deal, and the United States will outline next steps in the coming weeks.

Credibility 68% Manip. 27% Center
September 12, 2026
3 total
Putin warns European troop deployment to Ukraine could trigger war with Russia
Putin warns European troop deployment to Ukraine could trigger war with Russia

CBS News • 12 Sep 21:54

Russian President Vladimir Putin said sending European forces to Ukraine would constitute a war with Russia, while Kyiv reports continued civilian casualties from Russian attacks.

Credibility 72% Manip. 12% Center
Putin warns European troop deployments to Ukraine would constitute war with Russia amid intensified drone attacks
Putin warns European troop deployments to Ukraine would constitute war with Russia amid intensified drone attacks

The Independent • 12 Sep 21:42

Russian President Vladimir Putin said sending European forces to Kyiv would amount to a war with Russia, as Moscow increased drone strikes that killed five people in Ukraine and two in Russia.

Credibility 68% Manip. 32% Center
Lavrov says Russia will not halt its invasion of Ukraine during peace talks
Lavrov says Russia will not halt its invasion of Ukraine during peace talks

The Kyiv Independent • 12 Sep 16:00

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Moscow will continue its military operations while negotiations are underway, rejecting proposals for a ceasefire or a summit meeting in a neutral country.

Credibility 72% Manip. 32% Center
September 09, 2026
1 total
Trump says ending Ukraine war could restore U.S.-Russia relations, Kremlin says
Trump says ending Ukraine war could restore U.S.-Russia relations, Kremlin says

CNBC • 09 Sep 09:00

The Kremlin reported that President Trump told President Putin a quick resolution to the Ukraine conflict would allow full restoration of trade and economic ties between the United States and Russia.

Credibility 66% Manip. 12% Center
September 08, 2026
4 total
Trump and Putin discuss Ukraine conflict in hour-long phone call
Trump and Putin discuss Ukraine conflict in hour-long phone call

Al Jazeera • 08 Sep 18:36

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a one-hour phone conversation described as constructive, while U.S. envoys continue diplomatic efforts to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.

Credibility 72% Manip. 8% Center
Putin assures Trump Russia has no aggressive plans for Europe amid ongoing Ukraine conflict
Putin assures Trump Russia has no aggressive plans for Europe amid ongoing Ukraine conflict

PBS • 08 Sep 18:14

In a phone call, President Vladimir Putin told President Donald Trump that Moscow has no hostile intentions toward Europe, while U.S. officials warned the war in Ukraine could continue for years.

Credibility 78% Manip. 10% Center
Putin tells Trump Russia has no aggressive plans for Europe, Kremlin says
Putin tells Trump Russia has no aggressive plans for Europe, Kremlin says

AP News • 08 Sep 15:54

Kremlin officials said President Vladimir Putin assured President Donald Trump that Moscow has no hostile intentions toward Europe during a phone call, while Ukraine seeks further U.S. support and a possible meeting with Trump.

Credibility 78% Manip. 10% Center
Trump says he wants quick end to Ukraine war and full US-Russia ties, Kremlin says
Trump says he wants quick end to Ukraine war and full US-Russia ties, Kremlin says

Reuters • 08 Sep 15:02

The Kremlin reported that President Donald Trump told Vladimir Putin he wants a swift end to the Ukraine conflict and the restoration of U.S.–Russia relations, with Putin expressing support.

Credibility 78% Manip. 12% Center
September 07, 2026
2 total
Ukrainian drones hit three Russian oil refineries following US envoy visits
Ukrainian drones hit three Russian oil refineries following US envoy visits

New York Post • 07 Sep 16:16

Ukrainian drones attacked refineries in Russia's Perm region and other sites after U.S. special envoys met with leaders in Moscow and Kyiv to discuss peace talks.

Credibility 55% Manip. 30% Right
U.S. envoys discuss military aid with Ukraine after talks in Moscow
U.S. envoys discuss military aid with Ukraine after talks in Moscow

dw.com • 07 Sep 00:04

U.S. officials Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, seeking increased military support, but no agreement on ending the war was reached.

Credibility 72% Manip. 12% Center
September 06, 2026
4 total
U.S. envoys meet Ukrainian leaders after talks with Putin
U.S. envoys meet Ukrainian leaders after talks with Putin

AP News • 06 Sep 13:36

U.S. representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Kyiv for discussions with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following a three-hour meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, as both sides continue aerial attacks.

Credibility 78% Manip. 12% Center
U.S. Envoys Hold Talks with Ukrainian and Russian Leaders in Push for Peace
U.S. Envoys Hold Talks with Ukrainian and Russian Leaders in Push for Peace

NBC News • 06 Sep 12:17

U.S. representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with President Zelenskyy in Kyiv after discussions with President Putin in Moscow, saying the talks were substantive and expressing optimism about progress toward ending the war.

Credibility 72% Manip. 28% Center
U.S. negotiators Kushner and Witkoff arrive in Kyiv after talks with Putin
U.S. negotiators Kushner and Witkoff arrive in Kyiv after talks with Putin

The Guardian • 06 Sep 11:55

Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff landed in Kyiv for a second day of discussions on ending the war, following three-hour talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

Credibility 72% Manip. 12% Center
U.S. Envoys Witkoff and Kushner Arrive in Kyiv for Diplomatic Talks Amid Truce
U.S. Envoys Witkoff and Kushner Arrive in Kyiv for Diplomatic Talks Amid Truce

cnn.com • 06 Sep 10:23

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and former White House adviser Jared Kushner landed in Kyiv for meetings with President Zelensky, following talks with President Putin in Moscow, as a limited cease-fire holds between the capitals.

Credibility 72% Manip. 8% Center
September 05, 2026
3 total
Putin meets US envoys in Moscow as ceasefire pledged for three days
Putin meets US envoys in Moscow as ceasefire pledged for three days

Al Jazeera • 05 Sep 21:21

Russian President Vladimir Putin received U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow, where both sides agreed to a three-day halt to strikes on each other's capitals while peace talks continue.

Credibility 72% Manip. 12% Center
Putin meets US envoys in Moscow as ceasefire talks pause strikes
Putin meets US envoys in Moscow as ceasefire talks pause strikes

AP News • 05 Sep 18:32

Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at the Kremlin to discuss reviving peace talks, while both sides agreed to temporarily halt attacks on each other's capitals.

Credibility 78% Manip. 25% Center
Trump envoys Witkoff and Kushner land in Moscow ahead of Ukraine peace talks
Trump envoys Witkoff and Kushner land in Moscow ahead of Ukraine peace talks

BBC • 05 Sep 12:23

U.S. representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Moscow on Friday for discussions with Russian officials before traveling to Kyiv on Sunday for diplomatic talks on the Ukraine conflict.

Credibility 72% Manip. 8% Center