Zelensky offered Trump a "diesel deal" with Ukraine instead of Russia

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky proposed that the United States negotiate with Ukraine regarding Russian diesel and the operation of the Russian Federation's oil refineries. Kyiv is ready to refrain from striking Russian oil infrastructure on the condition of an end to attacks on the Ukrainian energy system and the existence of guarantees that the agreement will be honored.

Zelensky stated this on October 12 during the Warsaw Security Forum, commenting on US President Donald Trump's decision to agree with Vladimir Putin on supplying Russian diesel fuel to the world market.

The Ukrainian president questioned the economic expediency of this agreement. According to him, we are talking about possible supplies of 300-500 thousand tons of Russian diesel per month, which are unlikely to be able to significantly affect the situation on the world fuel market.

Zelensky assumed that Washington's decision may also be driven by other considerations besides the desire to stabilize prices. At the same time, he emphasized that Ukraine also has leverage over the Russian fuel sector thanks to strikes on oil refineries and export infrastructure.

"Why isn't America then signing a diesel deal with Ukraine? Let's propose a diesel deal with Ukraine. We influence whether these ships move, whether refineries operate", the president said.

He explained that Ukraine's main interest is not trading diesel fuel, but uninterrupted electricity supply for the population and the protection of critical infrastructure.

According to Zelensky, if the American side can guarantee the protection of the Ukrainian energy system, Kyiv will be ready to refrain from retaliatory strikes on Russian oil infrastructure. The president also reminded about Ukraine's readiness to adhere to a mutual energy ceasefire if Russia stops attacks.

He added that the cessation of shelling of Ukrainian energy facilities will also have positive consequences for European countries, since Ukraine is integrated into the common European electricity grid and, under favorable conditions, can supply electricity to neighbors.

At the same time, Zelensky reported that Ukraine did not receive a warning about the energy ceasefire announced by Trump. According to him, the Ukrainian side learned about the statement of the American president from the media.

Earlier, on October 11, Zelensky already discussed this with Axios. He then noted that he was ready to agree to a cessation of strikes on energy facilities if Russia takes similar obligations.

At the Warsaw Forum, the president repeated that he had still not heard from Moscow a confirmation of readiness to observe the ceasefire. Moreover, after Trump's statement, Russian troops continued attacking Ukrainian energy facilities.

In particular, on the night of October 12, a jet drone damaged the gas extraction infrastructure of the "Naftogaz" Group in Kharkiv Oblast. As a result of the strike, a fire broke out and critical equipment was damaged.

Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine is ready to provide the US with written guarantees of adherence to the energy ceasefire, but expects similar commitments from Russia. He also called on Washington to increase pressure on Moscow instead of easing sanctions.

Additionally, during the forum, the president again raised the issue of holding elections in Ukraine. Zelensky stated that under current conditions, organizing voting is impossible due to constant Russian shelling and the need to ensure the participation of military personnel at the front.

At the same time, he confirmed his readiness to cooperate with the Verkhovna Rada on legal solutions for organizing elections if at least 60 days of complete ceasefire can be agreed upon.

The president emphasized that this refers to a complete cessation of hostilities, not just the refusal of strikes on energy infrastructure. He had already expressed an analogous condition the day before in an interview with the American TV channel ABC News.

Thus, at the moment Ukraine supports the possibility of a mutual energy ceasefire, but there is no official confirmation of Russia's corresponding obligations. Zelensky's proposed deal with the US regarding Russian oil infrastructure also remains a public initiative rather than a concluded agreement.

Sources: Speech by Volodymyr Zelensky at the Warsaw Security Forum, Axios, Kurs Ukrainy