President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is ready to reach an agreement with Russia to stop strikes on energy facilities, provided Moscow also refrains from attacking Ukraine’s energy sector.
He said this in an interview with CBS.
According to Zelenskyy, for Ukraine an energy truce means an end to any strikes on energy infrastructure using any type of weapon.
He noted that during recent talks with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the discussion included, among other things, the possibility of agreements regarding oil refineries and other energy facilities.
"I told them that we are ready for an energy truce, but it is necessary to understand what that means for Ukraine. For Putin, energy is the sale of oil and gas. For us, energy is electricity supply and gas for our people," the head of state explained.
The President also said that Ukraine does not strike first, and that its tactic is to respond to Russian attacks where possible. According to Zelenskyy, limiting Russia’s ability to transport and sell oil inflicts significant losses on its budget.
Russia’s Losses from Oil Sales Could Reach $150bn
He estimated such losses at more than $100bn a year, adding that this year they could reach $150bn.
Separately, Zelenskyy raised the issue of agricultural exports. He said that if the sides agree to stop attacks in this area, Russia should not block exports of Ukrainian agricultural produce.
"Russia has up to 70 million tonnes of agricultural produce to sell. Ukraine needs to sell about 30 million. This is also in their interests," the President noted.
Zelenskyy also proposed that, in the event of agreements, Russia should provide a list of its facilities that it does not want to see among the targets of Ukrainian strikes.
"If they say: "We do not attack these facilities", then they must put on the table a list of their facilities — those they do not want us to attack," he said.
The President stressed that even during war the sides can find specific opportunities for de-escalation. In his view, the very fact of negotiations should indicate readiness or the political will to end the war.
- Earlier, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine proposed that partners help secure such an agreement with Russia that would stop the destruction of critical infrastructure. At the same time, he stressed that Ukraine is not sure Russia has any desire to comply with any agreement.
- US President Donald Trump urged Ukraine to stop strikes on diesel fuel in Russia, saying the attacks are causing shortages.