“Russia and Ukraine have agreed to stop striking each other's energy infrastructure.” — Donald Trump. Our verdict: False.
Donald Trump made the claim on 12 October 2026, and it was reported by Al Jazeera on 13 October 2026.
Our verdict
False
False. Russia's foreign minister rejected any pause in the fighting, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he learned of the plan from the media, and Russian drones hit Ukrainian energy sites after Donald Trump said both sides had agreed.
What we found
Donald Trump said that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an energy ceasefire. Asked by reporters on 12 October 2026 whether both sides had agreed, he said: "They agreed. You know why? Because I said, 'You agree'", Anadolu Agency reported.
Neither side has said so. Russia's foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, rejected any pause in the fighting, and the Kremlin spokesman said President Vladimir Putin did not want a ceasefire. Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he learned of the plan from media reports; he said Ukraine would stop hitting Russian refineries if Russia stopped hitting Ukraine's energy system.
Strikes went on. Naftogaz said a Russian drone damaged its gas production site after Trump's announcement, and Zelenskyy said Russia attacked six energy facilities on 13 October.
The evidence
2 of 3 sources contradict the claim; none support it.
- Background
Asked whether both sides had agreed, Trump said: "They agreed. You know why? Because I said, 'You agree'." [1]
- Contradicts the claim
Lavrov rejected any pause in the fighting. Zelenskyy said Russia attacked six energy facilities that day and that it was increasingly clear Moscow would not comply. [2]
- Contradicts the claim
The Kremlin spokesman said Putin did not want a ceasefire; Zelenskyy learned of the plan from the media; Naftogaz said a Russian drone hit its gas production site. [3]
How we checked
We read reports of Trump's remarks and of what Russian and Ukrainian officials said and did afterwards. We reviewed 3 relevant sources.
Sources
- [1]Anadolu Agency · Trump says Putin, Zelenskyy must reach deal to end 'ridiculous' war
- [2]Al Jazeera · Trump insists energy ceasefire holds as Ukraine reports new Russian strikes
- [3]ABC 33/40 · Contradicting Trump, Russia says it's not interested in ceasefire
- [4]Photo: Daniel Torok / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Have evidence we missed?
If you know of a source that confirms or contradicts this claim, send us the link. We review every submission and update fact checks when new evidence changes the picture.
Measured Take updates fact checks when new evidence emerges. Corrections are noted on the page.
All fact checks