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…