Trump pushes Russia-Ukraine ‘energy truce’: Can it work?

President Trump pushed for a Russia-Ukraine "energy truce" this week, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine was ready to strike a deal, halting strikes on Russian energy facilities if Moscow stopped hitting Ukraine's energy system. Trump has linked the war to record U. S. diesel prices ahead of November's midterms. They met for 40 minutes on Tuesday at the UN General Assembly in New York, according to Al Jazeera.

Despite the diplomatic opening, attacks continued: Ukraine has expanded long-range drone strikes on Russian refineries this year, including a September 20 strike that halted crude processing at Moscow's refinery, according to Reuters, and its deepest strike yet on Arctic gas facilities. Russia struck Kyiv petrol stations on Wednesday, killing one person and injuring at least seven others; Zelenskyy warned on Telegram that Russia was preparing a new massive attack. He said there could be no discussion of easing sanctions while Ukrainians face daily missile and drone threats.

Analysts said the plan could ease pressure on depleted U. S. Patriot missile stocks but would also benefit Russia's war financing. Amanda Paul of the European Policy Centre said continued Russian fuel sales finance the invasion and argued Trump should press Russia rather than stress the impact of Ukrainian strikes on prices. Marnie Howlett of the University of Oxford said Trump was focusing pressure on the wrong side, citing Russia's history of breaking ceasefire agreements.

Summarized by PolitiKool from Al Jazeera’s reporting. Read the full story at Al Jazeera →