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President Donald Trump announced Sunday that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to immediately halt attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure, marking a potentially significant development in the war just two days after his administration unveiled a controversial agreement to purchase large quantities of Russian diesel fuel.

The announcement follows mounting concern in Washington over soaring American diesel prices, which have become a major political issue ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, as well as criticism from Ukrainian officials and members of both American political parties over Trump’s decision to resume fuel purchases from Moscow.

“Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Both parties have agreed. Do not break it! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”

The president did not immediately provide details about the agreement’s duration, enforcement mechanisms or whether it would apply to all energy-related facilities in both countries. Independent confirmation of the terms from Moscow and Kyiv was not included in the initial announcement.

The reported agreement comes after months of increasingly destructive attacks against energy installations on both sides of the conflict.

Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Russian oil refineries and other petroleum facilities in an effort to weaken Moscow’s ability to finance and sustain its military operations. Those attacks have disrupted refining capacity and placed additional pressure on Russia’s energy industry.

Russia, meanwhile, has continued striking Ukraine’s electricity generation facilities, power distribution networks and other critical infrastructure, causing widespread damage and creating serious difficulties for Ukrainian civilians.

The Trump administration has argued that Ukrainian strikes against Russian refineries have contributed to tightening global diesel supplies, pushing prices higher even in countries that no longer purchase Russian petroleum products directly.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright has maintained that disruptions to Russia’s refining industry can affect international fuel markets and ultimately raise costs for American consumers, regardless of existing restrictions on Russian imports.

According to figures cited by the American Automobile Association, the national average price of diesel has climbed to approximately $6.28 per gallon, placing additional pressure on trucking companies, agricultural businesses and other industries that depend heavily on diesel fuel.

Higher transportation costs can also affect consumer prices because diesel-powered trucks are responsible for moving substantial quantities of food, merchandise and other goods throughout the United States.

With the midterm elections approaching, the administration has faced increasing pressure to demonstrate that it is taking action to address fuel costs and their broader economic consequences.

The ceasefire announcement also follows Trump’s agreement Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin to resume large-scale diesel supplies to the American and international markets, a decision that drew immediate objections from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and criticism from lawmakers in both parties.

Following a telephone conversation with Putin, Trump said Russia would supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel immediately, followed by another 500,000 tons in November and an additional 1 million tons afterward. He also outlined plans for a further 3 million tons to be delivered subsequently, depending on the condition of Russia’s refining facilities.

The Treasury Department subsequently authorized a temporary relaxation of restrictions on Russian diesel transactions, allowing certain imports through April 2027.

The decision represented a significant change in American policy toward Russian energy exports, which have been subject to restrictions since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Zelensky sharply condemned the arrangement, describing it as a “betrayal” and warning that increased Russian energy revenues could provide Moscow with additional resources to continue its military campaign.

The Ukrainian president has maintained that pressure on Russia’s energy industry is an important component of Kyiv’s strategy for weakening Moscow’s ability to sustain the war.

The agreement also provoked questions in Washington about its legality under the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act of 2022, which prohibited imports of Russian petroleum products into the United States.

Critics have argued that the administration may lack the authority to resume purchases without congressional approval, while the Treasury Department has relied on temporary licensing arrangements to facilitate the transactions.

According to reporting on the negotiations, Trump had repeatedly urged Ukraine to suspend attacks on Russian refineries before reaching the diesel arrangement with Putin. A senior American official said Zelensky had disregarded several such requests, contributing to the administration’s decision to pursue an alternative approach.

The diplomatic dispute unfolded as American representatives continued discussions with Ukrainian and European officials in Miami about possible steps toward ending the war.

Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, have also been considering additional meetings in Moscow and Kyiv as part of the administration’s efforts to revive negotiations.

The president previously announced a mutual halt to attacks on energy infrastructure in September, but strikes continued afterward, highlighting the difficulty of translating diplomatic commitments into a lasting cessation of hostilities.

Sunday’s announcement therefore raises immediate questions about whether the latest agreement will succeed where earlier efforts failed.

The distinction between an energy ceasefire and a broader military truce is also significant. Trump’s statement addressed attacks on energy targets and did not announce an end to ground combat, missile strikes against other facilities or military operations along the front lines.

Fighting elsewhere in Ukraine continued over the weekend, including Russian attacks that struck residential areas and caused civilian casualties.

It was not immediately clear whether either side had issued new operational instructions to its military forces following Trump’s announcement, or how alleged violations of the arrangement would be investigated.

For the Trump administration, the agreement offers a potential means of reducing attacks on energy infrastructure while addressing the fuel-price pressures that have become increasingly prominent in American domestic politics.

Whether the ceasefire will hold, however, will depend on the actions of Moscow and Kyiv and on the details of an arrangement that neither government had publicly confirmed when Trump made his announcement.

{Matzav.com}

Former Vice President Mike Pence has sharply condemned President Donald Trump’s agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports, accusing Trump of betraying the legacy of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham and providing financial assistance to Moscow while its military continues its war against Ukraine.

In a lengthy statement posted on X, Pence urged Trump to cancel the arrangement immediately and restore tough economic measures against Russia, arguing that the administration’s decision undermines years of American efforts to pressure Putin into ending the conflict.

“President Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Russian fuel amidst Putin’s ongoing and brutal attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine makes no sense and is a betrayal of the legacy and leadership of the late Senator Lindsey Graham,” Pence wrote in a lengthy X post.

Pence, 67, who served as vice president throughout Trump’s first administration, invoked Graham’s longstanding campaign for tougher sanctions on Moscow. The South Carolina Republican, who died in July, had been among the most outspoken congressional advocates of punishing Russia economically over its invasion of Ukraine.

“Instead of implementing the tough sanctions Lindsey Graham fought to his last breath to enact, President Trump has announced the United States is lifting sanctions on Russian energy, fueling the Putin’s war machine,” Pence added.

Graham had worked on legislation intended to impose sweeping penalties on countries purchasing Russian energy, seeking to deprive Moscow of revenue that could be used to sustain its military operations. His death came shortly after a visit to Ukraine, where he had continued advocating stronger American measures against Russia.

Pence also referred to his own recent trip to Ukraine, saying he had personally observed conditions that convinced him Moscow was failing to achieve its military objectives.

The former vice president said he “saw firsthand in Ukraine last month” that “Putin is losing this war.”

He argued that Washington should maintain economic pressure on Russia rather than allow additional fuel sales that could generate revenue for the Kremlin.

“America should not be throwing a lifeline to Putin’s war machine. Now is the time to stand strong against Russian aggression as we did during the first Trump administration,” he implored.

Pence further warned that Russian ambitions could eventually threaten NATO countries and potentially draw American forces into a direct confrontation with Moscow.

“Putin doesn’t want peace. Putin wants Ukraine. I have no doubt that if Putin overruns Ukraine, it will only be a matter of time until Russia’s military crosses a border that our troops will have to deal with him.”

Calling for a return to the Russia policies pursued during Trump’s first term, Pence said the United States should intensify sanctions on nations buying Russian energy while ensuring that Ukraine receives the weapons and assistance necessary to continue defending itself.

“America is the Leader of the Free World,” he continued. “For our National Security, for the security of our Allies in Europe including Ukraine, President Trump should rescind this deal immediately and return to the strong policies of our four years in the White House; impose harsh sanctions on any nation purchasing Russian energy and work with our allies to ensure Ukraine has the military support it needs to repel and defeat this Russian invasion once and for all.”

The criticism followed Trump’s announcement Friday that he had reached an agreement with Putin to release millions of tons of Russian diesel into international markets, a move intended to address soaring fuel prices in the United States and abroad.

Under the arrangement described by Trump, Russia is expected to make more than 300,000 metric tons of diesel available immediately, followed by another 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons shortly afterward. The president also said Moscow had committed to providing an additional 3 million tons within a relatively short period, depending on the condition of Russian refineries.

The Treasury Department subsequently announced a temporary authorization allowing Russian diesel to enter international markets despite existing American sanctions. The measure is scheduled to remain in effect until April 2027.

The decision represents a significant change in Washington’s approach to Russian energy exports, which have been targeted by successive sanctions intended to reduce the Kremlin’s ability to finance its military campaign.

Trump has defended the agreement as a practical response to the steep increase in diesel prices, which has placed additional financial pressure on American trucking companies, agricultural operations and businesses dependent on transportation.

Diesel prices have climbed above $6 per gallon nationally, driven in part by disruptions to global energy supplies associated with the war involving Iran. The increase has become a growing political concern for Republicans ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.

The president has faced mounting pressure from members of his own party to bring fuel costs under control, particularly because diesel prices affect the cost of transporting food, merchandise and other essential goods throughout the country.

Trump has argued that increasing available supplies would help ease those pressures, although some energy analysts have questioned whether the Russian shipments would be large enough to produce a substantial reduction in American fuel prices.

The agreement has also provoked an angry response from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who warned that allowing Moscow to earn additional revenue from petroleum exports would strengthen Russia’s ability to continue its military campaign.

Zelensky argued that relaxing sanctions without obtaining meaningful concessions from Putin would weaken Western leverage and make a negotiated end to the war more difficult.

The controversy intensified Saturday as Russian attacks struck residential buildings in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, killing at least 20 people, including three children, according to Ukrainian officials.

Trump, meanwhile, has criticized Zelensky’s handling of the conflict and suggested that Ukraine should consider new leadership capable of reaching an agreement with Moscow. The president has also blamed Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil infrastructure for contributing to disruptions in global diesel supplies.

Pence’s criticism adds to objections raised by lawmakers in both parties. Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal has also called for the arrangement to be withdrawn, arguing that it contradicts congressional efforts to restrict Russian energy revenues and dishonors Graham’s work on sanctions legislation.

{Matzav.com}

Israel is unlikely to launch a new offensive against Iran before the November 3 midterm elections in the United States, primarily because President Donald Trump wants to prevent another surge in oil prices ahead of the vote, according to a senior Israeli official.

The assessment, reported by Israel’s Channel 12, comes amid continuing consultations between Yerushalayim and Washington over Iran and the possibility of renewed military action against the Islamic Republic.

According to the senior official, despite ongoing discussions about potential operations, the prevailing assessment in Israel is that a preemptive strike will be postponed until after Americans head to the polls.

The central consideration is the position of the Trump administration. Israeli officials recognize that any major operation against Iran would require close coordination with Washington, particularly given the United States’ leading role in the confrontation with Tehran.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has previously emphasized that the United States is the senior partner in the campaign against Iran. As a result, American political and economic considerations are expected to play a significant role in determining the timing of any renewed military offensive.

Trump is reportedly reluctant to authorize another attack before the November 3 elections because of concerns that renewed fighting could drive up global oil prices, creating additional economic pressure on American consumers just as they prepare to vote.

The American elections are scheduled to take place approximately one week after Israel’s own elections, adding another political consideration to the timing of any potential escalation.

Despite the expectation that military action will be delayed, Israeli and American officials have substantially increased their communications and intelligence exchanges in recent weeks.

The intensified coordination reflects an assessment that Iran’s government is coming under mounting economic pressure and may struggle to withstand the current American strategy over an extended period.

A major component of that pressure is the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which Israeli officials reportedly regard as particularly effective in weakening Tehran’s economy.

According to the assessments cited in the report, restrictions affecting the strategic waterway are accelerating Iran’s economic deterioration and contributing to a sharp increase in the value of the U.S. dollar against the Iranian currency.

The resulting financial instability is placing additional strain on the Iranian government, which is already contending with the broader consequences of American economic and military pressure.

Israeli officials nevertheless caution that the absence of plans for an immediate offensive does not eliminate the possibility of renewed fighting before the American elections.

One scenario under consideration involves Iran initiating a provocation that could trigger an Israeli or American military response, potentially disrupting the current expectation of a temporary pause in offensive operations.

Another assessment suggests that Iranian leaders may themselves prefer to avoid an escalation before Israel’s elections, fearing that an attack during the campaign could strengthen Netanyahu politically.

Under that scenario, Tehran could choose to postpone provocative actions until after Israelis have cast their ballots, although officials acknowledge that Iranian decision-making remains difficult to predict.

Security officials stress that these scenarios are assessments rather than confirmed plans and that developments could change depending on actions taken by Iran or other regional actors.

For now, the prevailing assessment in Israel is that a coordinated American-Israeli offensive against Iran is unlikely in the immediate future, with the November elections serving as a significant factor in Washington’s calculations.

{Matzav.com}