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Zelensky offers to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries after Trump calls for new Ukraine president

October 12, 2026

Ukraine is willing to stop attacks on Russian oil refineries if Russia stops its strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on 11 October, adding that strikes could stop as “early as today.”

“The real cause of the war in Europe is Russia and Russia alone. It is possible to stop strikes on energy infrastructure as early as today, but Putin does not want to do so,” Zelensky claimed in a post on X. “Any de-escalation steps must be reciprocal and backed by real guarantees.”

Later in the day, US President Donald Trump announced that an “energy ceasefire” had been reached between Russia and Ukraine.

Effective Immediately: An ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/PukfiuHOdy

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 11, 2026

Zelensky’s offer and the alleged ceasefire come after Trump stated that Ukraine should “get a new leader” on Saturday.

“I suggest they get a new leader who can make a [peace] deal,” adding that “for some reason [Zelensky] never does,” Trump stated while speaking at the White House.

Trump claimed Zelensky has “lost 30% of your country and you’ve had over a million people die, between the two of them, over 2 million people killed. That’s a war that should have never started. And I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president.”

Trump also warned the Ukrainian president to stop targeting Russian oil refineries with missile and drone strikes. “He better damn well stop,” he added.

Trump BLASTS President Zelensky:

“I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal. He could have made many deals, but for some reason, he never does…I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president.” pic.twitter.com/BBycpUEecS

— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) October 10, 2026

On Friday, Trump announced he had reached a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the US to purchase more than 300,000 tons of Russian diesel fuel for immediate release into US and global markets.

The deal called for another 500,000 tons to follow in November and a further 1 million tons soon after.

Soon after Trump made the announcement, the US Treasury issued a temporary license allowing Russian diesel to be sold on world markets, including inside the US, until April 2027.

The reversal comes less than a month after Trump signed sweeping sanctions legislation against Moscow, targeting Russian officials, banks, and the shadow fleet, and allowing tariffs of up to 100 percent on the main buyers of Russian oil and gas.

Energy analysts quickly dismissed the deal, noting that Putin’s first shipment of 300,000 tons equals about 2.25 million barrels of diesel, while the US alone exports some 1.5 million barrels of the fuel every day, according to Reuters.

Zelensky opposed the deal, calling it a “gift” to Putin.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham expressed his support for Zelensky, reiterating his “complete solidarity” with Ukraine and announcing new sanctions on Russia.

⚡️BREAKING: Zelensky Criticizes President Trump for Blaming him for the Rise in Diesel Prices

"They're increasing because of the war in the Middle East, the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz. People have to hear reality. Don't play games with people" pic.twitter.com/MBc8WHoiPf

— Iran Observer (@IranObserver0) October 11, 2026

Germany, Australia and the EU also expressed support for Ukraine on Saturday.

“Suspending sanctions on Russian diesel provides Moscow with more revenue to wage war. This is not the time to ease pressure on Russia, and Europe won’t,” stated Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief.

Trump is seeking a way to lower diesel prices in the US ahead of the mid-term elections in November.

High energy prices resulting from Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s war on Iran have angered US voters who appear poised to punish Trump’s Republican Party in the upcoming vote.

On Saturday, Ukrainian drones struck the Novoshakhtinsk refinery in Russia’s Rostov region, and an oil plant near Prosvet in the Samara region.

Ukraine has hit more than 100 Russian oil facilities over the past year.

Russia, in turn, bombed Zaporizhzhia early Saturday, killing at least 20 people in the eastern Ukrainian city.