Rubio Supports Russia-Ukraine Energy Ceasefire Talks Without Deal
The proposed arrangement would halt attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure and Russian energy supplies, but both sides must agree before it can take effect.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio backed a possible Russia-Ukraine ceasefire covering energy infrastructure, but said no agreement exists and both governments must consent before it can take effect.
President Donald Trump planned to discuss the proposal with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sept. 22 in New York. Rubio described the arrangement as a halt to attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure and Russian energy supplies.
“We think that would be a great idea, an energy infrastructure ceasefire,” Rubio said. “It takes two sides to agree to that.”
Zelenskyy has said Ukraine was ready for an energy truce if Russia stopped attacking Ukrainian energy and water systems.
Rubio also said the war would end through a negotiated agreement rather than a decisive military victory. Grain exports and energy attacks have been discussed as connected negotiating priorities, but no separate grain ceasefire has been confirmed.
The proposed truce could matter for energy markets because the conflict has disrupted Black Sea shipping and created risks for grain exports and energy markets. The proposal's implementation, monitoring, duration and enforcement terms were not detailed.
