Zelensky Names Condition for Stopping Strikes on Russian Refineries

Ukraine is ready to stop strikes on Russian oil refineries in response to real de-escalation steps by Moscow. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated this on September 21, indicating reciprocity as a condition for halting Ukrainian attacks on Russia's oil infrastructure.

Thus, this is not about Kyiv's unilateral refusal to strike refineries, but a possible mutual agreement. Zelensky earlier said that Ukraine is ready for de-escalation measures if partners can ensure the cessation of Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy, critical infrastructure, and facilities related to food logistics.

The new position came after Zelensky's phone conversation with US President Donald Trump on September 20. The official statement from the President's Office said the sides discussed ideas on de-escalation steps, as well as issues of energy and food security and protecting people's lives. Zelensky and Trump also agreed to meet in New York.

According to Financial Times, during that conversation Trump urged Zelensky to stop strikes on Russian refineries. The publication's sources linked the American president's position to concerns over diesel fuel shortages and rising prices on the global market. Axios previously reported similar information, citing a source familiar with the talks.

The topic of mutual cessation of attacks on energy infrastructure has been discussed for over a week. On September 14, Zelensky said Ukraine proposed that partners secure an agreement with Russia that would allow stopping strikes on facilities necessary for basic life support. According to him, such an agreement should include energy, critical infrastructure, and food supply routes.

The Kremlin then publicly called the idea of an energy truce "very good," but no formal agreement on halting mutual attacks was confirmed. Earlier, Vladimir Putin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov also declined to answer whether Russia is ready to stop strikes on Ukrainian economic infrastructure if Kyiv halts attacks on Russian refineries.

Against this backdrop, Ukraine continued strikes on Russia's oil refining industry. On the night of September 20, the Defense Forces hit the Gazprom Neft Moscow Oil Refinery in Kapotnya. The General Staff reported damage to the primary oil refining unit AVT-6, the deep refining complex, and the isomerization unit. The SBU indicated that the facility produces gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel and is among Russia's large oil refining enterprises.

Thus, Zelensky's statement keeps the possibility of continuing such strikes until reciprocal and actually implemented steps by the Russian side appear. At the moment, there is no publicly confirmed agreement between Kyiv and Moscow on halting attacks on energy facilities.

Based on materials from: Volodymyr Zelensky, Office of the President of Ukraine, Financial Times, SBU