Zelensky names condition for halting strikes on Russian refineries

Ukraine is ready to stop strikes on Russian oil refineries and other energy facilities if Russia in turn stops attacking the Ukrainian energy system.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said this on September 22 during a conversation with journalists following a meeting with US President Donald Trump in New York.

According to Zelensky, during the talks the sides discussed a possible energy truce as one of the steps toward de-escalating the war.

“We are ready for it. Of course, we are ready to stop strikes on their refineries and on the energy system, if they do not strike ours,” the president said.

Zelensky stressed that the proposal concerns a mutual renunciation of strikes on energy facilities. That is, Kyiv is ready to assume the corresponding obligations only if Moscow takes an analogous step.

The president also said that the American side agreed to convey the Ukrainian proposal to Russia.

Thus, there is no talk yet of an achieved agreement between Kyiv and Moscow. Ukraine has publicly confirmed its readiness for an energy truce, and the further development of the initiative will depend on Russia's response.

The topic of a mutual cessation of strikes on energy infrastructure has been discussed for several weeks. Earlier, Zelensky said that Ukraine is open to an energy and maritime truce and intends to discuss these issues with Trump. The idea of a mutual moratorium on strikes on energy facilities was also discussed by the US president and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Based on materials: Volodymyr Zelensky's conversation with journalists, Office of the President of Ukraine