WASHINGTON -- US President Donald Trump, in the face of sharp criticism from officials in Ukraine, Europe, and even his Republican party, defended his decision to allow Russian diesel exports and insisted an energy cease-fire between Kyiv and Moscow is in place despite a lack of confirmation from either side.

Speaking to reporters on the White House lawn on October 12, Trump maintained that the truce was in place even as Ukrainian officials reported further Russian strikes.

Asked whether the two sides had agreed to the cease-fire, Trump told reporters: They agreed. You know why? Because I said, You agree -- that's why. They agreed because I said they agreed, and that thing has to get settled.

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Asked by RFE/RL about reports of Russian violations of the agreement, Trump said he was not sure about that, adding that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have to get together and end that ridiculous war.

Trump announced on social media on October 11 that both sides had agreed to an energy cease-fire effective immediately.

Moscow has yet to confirm the announcement, while Zelenskyy reportedly told Axios the proposal was news for me.

The US leader has in the past declared that the sides had agreed to cease attacks on energy sites, most recently on September 14, only to see Putin continue the attacks, ending any hopes of a lasting truce.

Later on October 12, Zelenskyy said Ukraine is willing to halt attacks on Russian refining operations if Moscow agrees to stop its strikes on Ukrainian energy systems as officials across Europe looked for clarity on the cease-fire.

Just hours after Trump's announcement, Russian drones hit a power plant in Kyiv and energy facilities in the city of Kharkiv, sowing further confusion on the situation.

"If Russia wants us to stop our long-range strikes against its oil refineries and oil exports, then Russia must stop its strikes against our energy system and critical infrastructure and stop killing our people," Zelenskyy said in a speech by video link to the Warsaw Security Forum on October 12.