Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Tuesday that Kyiv is prepared to suspend attacks on Russian energy infrastructure if Moscow reciprocates, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
“We are ready for any kind of format of energy ceasefire,” Zelensky said, provided that Russia agrees to “not attack our energy system.” However, he acknowledged that he was unaware of Moscow’s stance, expressing hope that “the American side will find a way … to bring them to any kind of negotiations.”
Diplomatic efforts spearheaded by Washington to broker a settlement — which have been ongoing since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 — have hit a standstill in recent months as the United States has redirected its attention to its conflict with Iran.
Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine have continued to escalate long-range strikes against an expanding range of civilian targets, including factories, warehouses, energy and port facilities, as well as vessels in the Black Sea.
US President Donald Trump, who held talks with Zelensky in New York on Tuesday, said last week that Ukraine and Russia had agreed not to target each other’s energy installations, one day after he rebuked Kyiv for striking Russian oil refineries.
Zelensky characterized the Tuesday meeting with Trump as “positive and productive,” writing in a post on X that “both the US and Ukraine want to see this senseless Russian war ended before winter.”
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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