Trump announces Russia-Ukraine understanding to halt energy strikes, urges Kyiv to stop hitting diesel refineries

Trump said Russia and Ukraine have reached an understanding to stop targeting each other's energy facilities and asked Kyiv to halt strikes on Russian diesel refineries over a global shortage.

• Trump said Kyiv agreed not to strike Russian energy targets and Moscow agreed not to target Ukrainian energy facilities, without detailing how the understanding would be implemented or whether it constitutes a formal agreement.
• Trump asked Ukraine to stop hitting Russian diesel refineries, saying the attacks have helped create a diesel shortage "hurting the world."
• Trump attributed the rise in global diesel prices mostly to the Russia-Ukraine war rather than to developments related to Iran.
• Ukraine has said it considers Russian energy infrastructure a legitimate military target because Russian oil and gas revenues fund Moscow's war effort.
• Zelensky said Kyiv was ready to commit to the energy-strike halt but demanded guarantees for its implementation, voicing doubt about Moscow's willingness to comply.
• The Kremlin welcomed Trump's request to stop targeting energy facilities.
• Both sides reported shooting down large numbers of drones overnight.
• Ukrainian long-range attacks have driven Russian refinery activity to a 24-year low, according to data cited in the reports.
• The Wall Street Journal editorial board criticized Trump's demand, saying it pressures Kyiv while Moscow keeps striking Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
• Analyst George Beebe said Ukraine's strikes damaged Russia's energy sector without forcing Putin to change his terms, prompting Moscow to escalate attacks on Ukraine's grid.
• Zelensky said he plans to meet Trump in New York in late September.