Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Ukraine is prepared to stop attacking Russian oil refineries if Moscow agrees to halt its strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, insisting that any de-escalation must involve both sides.
Zelensky made the statement on Sunday following renewed criticism from US President Donald Trump, amid growing tensions between the two leaders over the war and a controversial agreement involving Russian diesel supplies.
“Ukraine will be ready to stop striking Russian oil refineries if Russia stops striking our energy infrastructure. Any de-escalation steps must be reciprocal and backed by real guarantees,” Zelensky wrote on X.
The disagreement between Zelensky and Trump intensified on Friday after the US president announced a deal that would allow Russia to release large quantities of diesel onto global energy markets in exchange for temporary sanctions relief.
Zelensky criticised the agreement as a “weak decision,” arguing that it could encourage Russia to continue attacking Ukraine. However, Trump blamed Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries for the recent increase in fuel prices.
Prices at petrol and diesel pumps across the United States have risen sharply since late February, when joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran prompted Tehran to block the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for oil exports from the Gulf.
Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure since launching its full-scale invasion in February 2022. The attacks have disrupted electricity and heating supplies for millions of Ukrainians, particularly during the winter months.
Ukraine’s largest private energy provider, DTEK, announced fresh power outages in Kyiv on Sunday amid the ongoing attacks.
The dispute between Trump and Zelensky comes weeks before closely contested US elections, with voter dissatisfaction over the rising cost of living emerging as a major political issue.
Zelensky Links Elections to 60-Day Ceasefire
Meanwhile, Zelensky has said Ukraine could organise elections if Russia agrees to a complete 60-day ceasefire, pushing back against Trump’s suggestion that the country needs a new leader who would agree to end the war.
During a televised interview with ABC News on Sunday, Zelensky insisted that the decision on Ukraine’s leadership belonged to its citizens.
“First of all, with all respect to President Trump, it’s up to our society, up to our people to choose one or another leader,” he said.
Zelensky added that he had told Trump’s team that Ukraine could hold elections if Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to suspend hostilities for two months.
“If they really want us to hold elections, please tell Putin to give us two months, 60 days of total ceasefire, 60 days, and we will organise elections,” Zelensky said.
His comments came a day after Trump argued that Ukraine needed a new president who could agree to bring the conflict to an end.
Source: AFP
