President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said he has repeatedly discussed with US President Donald Trump the possibility of halting Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries. Kyiv is ready to suspend such attacks on the condition that Russia stops strikes on the Ukrainian energy system or Ukraine receives the necessary interceptor missiles for Patriot systems.
Zelensky spoke about this in an interview with the American TV channel Fox News, a fragment of which was released on November 1. The conversation with the Ukrainian president was conducted by the channel's chief international correspondent Trey Yingst.
The journalist asked Zelensky why Ukraine resumed strikes on Russian oil refining facilities despite warnings from the Trump administration. In particular, he mentioned reports of a new attack on an oil refinery in Russia's Samara region.
The president confirmed that he discussed this issue with the American leader and his team during several conversations.
According to Zelensky, he explained to the American side that Ukraine cannot leave Russian strikes on energy and civilians unanswered.
"We cannot not respond after Russia attacks our energy, after Russia kills our people", the president emphasized.
Zelensky noted that Ukraine offered Washington two options that would allow stopping strikes on Russian refineries.
The first one involves mutual cessation of attacks on energy infrastructure. According to the president, if the US wants to stop Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries, Russia must also stop attacking the Ukrainian energy system.
The second option is supplying Ukraine with interceptor missiles for Patriot systems, necessary to protect against Russian air attacks.
The president separately stressed that Ukraine is ready to pay for these missiles, not just rely on free military aid.
Zelensky explained that even supplying interceptors for a limited period could serve as a basis for a corresponding agreement.
"If you need us not to attack oil refineries for one month, give us Patriot for one month", he proposed.
Thus, the matter involves a possible temporary pause in strikes on Russian oil refining infrastructure in exchange for providing Ukraine with air defense missiles during the same period. The president did not report reaching such an agreement with Washington.
The Fox News journalist also asked Zelensky whether he fears that Trump might perceive this proposal as an attempt to pressure the American administration.
The president replied that he has no such concerns, as he considers it necessary to speak openly with partners about the real situation in Ukraine.
He emphasized the importance of support from American society and the strategic partnership between the two countries. According to Zelensky, that is why he must explain to Trump that American policy should not benefit Russia and its president Vladimir Putin.
The statement came after, on October 30, the US State Department approved the possible sale of 500 Patriot interceptor missiles to Ukraine for a total of $2.1 billion. However, this decision does not mean immediate delivery of the munitions.
Zelensky previously warned that delivery of the approved batch may take several years, while Ukraine needs the missiles right now to protect energy facilities and cities from Russian strikes.
The president proposed that partners consider the possibility of transferring missiles from existing US and European stockpiles, with subsequent replenishment of these reserves through new purchases.
Earlier Zelensky already voiced to American lawmakers a proposal for a 30-day cessation of strikes on Russian refineries in exchange for Patriot supplies. Then he reported that the relevant idea was discussed with the special representative of the US President Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
In the new Fox News interview, Zelensky confirmed that this issue was also raised in his conversations directly with Donald Trump. The President of Ukraine stressed that cessation of strikes on Russian refineries cannot be considered separately from the necessity to protect Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
Based on materials from: Fox News, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
