Ukraine ready to stop striking Russian refineries if Russia stops attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure – Zelenskyy

Iryna Balachuk - 11 October, 12:49

Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Photo: President’s Office

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine is ready to stop striking Russian oil refineries, provided Russian forces stop attacking Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter)

Quote: "The real cause of the war in Europe is Russia and Russia alone. It is possible to stop strikes on energy infrastructure as early as today, but Putin does not want to do so. 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."

Details: Zelenskyy stressed that any de-escalation measures must be mutual and backed by genuine guarantees.

Meanwhile, the president reported that, in the past week alone, Russian forces had launched around 1,450 guided aerial bombs, 75 missiles of various types and more than 1,640 attack drones at Ukraine, around 60% of which were jet-powered.

Background:

On 9 October, US President Donald Trump said he had had a "highly successful discussion" with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin and reached an agreement on lifting sanctions on Russian diesel fuel.
Zelenskyy strongly criticised Trump's actions, describing the easing of sanctions as an "absolutely terrible" move. He stressed that this "birthday present for Putin" will provide Russia with billions more to continue the war.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine's negotiating team in the US had been used as "cover" while Trump and Putin reached agreements on fuel supplies.
Yuri Ushakov, an aide to the Russian leader, stated that in a phone call with Trump, Putin rejected the possibility of peace talks, stressing that Russia will continue military operations until it has achieved "all its objectives".
It was reported that negotiations in Miami between representatives of the US, Ukraine, European countries and NATO on ways to de-escalate and end the war had ended earlier than planned.
On 10 October, Dmytro Lytvyn, the president's communications adviser, stated that the Ukrainian delegation that took part in the negotiations in the US is already on its way home.

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