Ukraine energy truce emerged as a key topic after President Donald Trump said Russia has “unfortunately lost control” of parts of its oil industry, renewing his call for Kyiv to stop long-range strikes on refineries. He wrote on Truth Social that numerous diesel facilities had been damaged and taken offline, and again urged an end to the war, claiming heavy monthly casualties.
A senior White House official familiar with Trump’s recent call with Volodymyr Zelensky said he was concerned Ukrainian attacks could worsen a global diesel shortage and lift prices. The two leaders are expected to meet later this week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Zelensky, responding to Trump’s post, said that if Russia stopped targeting Ukraine’s energy system, critical infrastructure and food exports, Kyiv could take “matching de-escalation steps.”
Macron says he discussed Ukraine energy truce ideas with Trump
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that he and Trump discussed initiatives aimed at establishing a moratorium by Ukraine and Russia on strikes involving the energy sector. Speaking to reporters after their meeting in New York, Macron described the exchange as “very good” and “very constructive,” and said both agreed on the need to bolster Kyiv’s defenses, particularly with interceptors.
Without sharing specifics, Macron said he would raise the concept of halting energy-sector attacks when he meets Zelensky later on Monday. He added that supporting Ukraine’s energy network remains a priority as the war continues to affect European security, and said he hoped progress could be made during the UN General Assembly.
Pro-peace Russian candidate says she is home after going missing
Yulia Kuznetsova, a pro-peace candidate for Russia’s State Duma, said she is home after disappearing for three days with her husband on the eve of parliamentary elections. In a video posted to Telegram the following day, she said she needed psychological support and medical help after a “difficult conversation,” without providing further details.
A message on her channel said she and her husband were fine and that she had voted. Her team did not explain the disappearance, saying only, “They are free, and that’s what matters.”
Aftermath of mixed-swarm Russian attack on Ukraine
Images from Zaporizhzhia showed emergency crews working at an apartment block damaged by an overnight drone strike, residents clearing debris from balconies, and rescuers inspecting shattered interiors.
Kremlin criticizes Trump’s new sanctions
The Kremlin said a sweeping Russia sanctions bill signed by Trump on Friday would neither repair strained US-Russia relations nor help achieve a peace settlement in Ukraine. The legislation targets major buyers of Russian oil and gas and includes measures against President Vladimir Putin, senior officials, banks and other financial entities.
Zelensky outlines potential steps toward de-escalation
Zelensky said Ukraine has sought peace since the start of the full-scale invasion, making “dozens” of proposals. He noted an ongoing dialogue with Trump and the United States, and said ideas are on the table to bring peace closer, beginning with strong de-escalation steps.
He added that ending Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy sector, critical infrastructure and food exports could prompt reciprocal measures from Kyiv, and said these issues would be discussed with partners during the UN General Assembly.
Russia’s elections labeled tightly controlled
As polls closed in Russia’s parliamentary vote, initial figures from the Central Election Commission showed the ruling United Russia party leading with 57.8 percent, with more than 90 percent of ballots counted. The Commission reported turnout of 56.6 percent, up from about 52 percent in 2021.
Putin, who won the 2024 presidential election with 88.5 percent, is not due to stand again until 2030.
Ukrainian veterans say conditions are worsening
Ukrainian war veterans described battlefield conditions as increasingly severe, with skies crowded by armed drones and troops spending most of their time in foxholes and bunkers. One veteran who fought in Bakhmut in 2023 said the current environment feels even harsher, citing relentless first-person-view drone attacks and sustained Russian firepower.
Fires in Zaporizhzhia after strikes
Photos from Zaporizhzhia showed firefighters battling blazes at a shopping center and a historic university building after drone strikes, with crews directing hoses at heavy flames as smoke billowed across the area.
Major Moscow refinery halts crude processing
A major Moscow oil refinery owned by Gazprom Neft suspended crude processing after a Ukrainian drone attack on Sunday sparked fires, according to sources. The city’s mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, said an industrial facility on the site was damaged during the raid.
Sources said both primary crude distillation units were hit, with repairs expected to take weeks. The AVT-6 unit processes 21,400 tons per day, or 53 percent of total capacity, while the EURO+ facility handles 18,800 tons per day, or 47 percent.
Fuel from the plant has not been offered on the St. Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange since 21 September. The refinery processed 11.6 million tons of crude in 2024, producing 2.9 million tons of gasoline, 3.2 million tons of diesel and 1.3 million tons of bitumen, the sources said.
Child killed in attack on Mykolaiv region
A three-year-old boy died in an airstrike in the Mykolaiv region, the head of the regional military administration said on Telegram. Heorhii Reshetilov said the child, who was outside during the attack in the Voznesensk district, suffered fatal injuries and could not be saved despite medical efforts.
Trump’s comments on Ukraine follow previous disputes over his foreign policy, including when Trump touts ‘permanent’ Greenland security deal with Denmark. Observers say his latest remarks are likely to fuel further debate in Washington.