Zelensky named conditions for halting strikes on Russian energy infrastructure
Ukraine has proposed to international partners to secure an agreement with Russia on mutual cessation of strikes on critical infrastructure. Kyiv is ready to renounce corresponding attacks on its side if real and long-term compliance with such conditions by Russia is ensured.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said this on the evening of September 14 on social networks.
According to him, Ukraine is ready for mutual cessation of strikes if partners can ensure Russia renounces attacks on Ukrainian electric power industry, other energy facilities, critical infrastructure and infrastructure related to food movement.
With this condition fulfilled, Kyiv is ready to ensure a similar absence of Ukrainian strikes. Zelensky emphasized that such an agreement must be reliable and long-term, not a temporary pause.
The president separately expressed doubts that Russia will observe possible restrictions for a long time. Kyiv, according to him, is not interested in a situation in which Moscow uses the pause for temporary reduction of pressure on the Russian fuel sector and then resumes attacks.
Zelensky connected this, in particular, with the upcoming Russian elections and the situation with gasoline and diesel fuel in the Russian Federation. He stated that the agreement should have a real effect for people's lives, and not stop after Russia receives the respite it needs.
The Ukrainian side now expects specifics proposals from partners regarding the mechanism of such an agreement and guarantees of its observance.
Zelensky's statement appeared after US President Donald Trump earlier on September 14 reported an allegedly already reached agreement between Ukraine and Russia regarding energy facilities.
"Ukraine has agreed not to strike Russian energy targets. Russia has agreed to do the same", – Trump wrote on Truth Social.
At the same time, the American president did not specify the conditions, terms of the possible agreement or a mechanism for controlling its implementation.
Zelensky's formulation differs from Trump's statement. The Ukrainian president speaks of Kyiv's readiness to observe mutual restriction on condition that partners ensure Russia actually renounces strikes. Thus, it does not follow from the Ukrainian side's statement that an unconditional mutual moratorium is already in effect.
The idea of mutual cessation of attacks on energy facilities is being discussed not for the first time. In April, Ukraine already handed over to Russia through the American side a proposal to renounce such strikes on a mutual basis. Then Zelensky also emphasized that Kyiv was ready to act in a mirror manner on condition of cessation of Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy sector.
The issue acquired special significance before the autumn-winter period against the background of regular Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy and other critical infrastructure facilities. Ukraine simultaneously continues long-range attacks on facilities of the Russian fuel and energy complex, including oil refining infrastructure.
Based on materials: Volodymyr Zelensky, Donald Trump
