Ukraine is willing to stop its attacks on Russian oil refineries if Moscow halts its own strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday, stressing that any steps towards de-escalation must be reciprocal and backed by real guarantees. Speaking on Telegram, Zelenskyy said he would continue talks with European leaders during the day, adding that discussions on additional air defence packages, including munitions for fighter jets, are taking place daily.
Pressure from Washington
The offer follows a sharp intervention by US President Donald Trump, who said on Saturday that it was time for Ukraine to get a new president and warned that Zelenskyy "had better" stop striking Russian oil refineries, arguing that the attacks worsen global fuel supplies. Trump's remarks came a day after he announced a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin for Russian diesel supplies to the US and international markets, backed by a temporary easing of US sanctions, which Zelenskyy had criticised. According to Axios, a US official said Trump struck the diesel deal after Zelenskyy ignored repeated US requests to stop the refinery strikes, while Kyiv had previously offered Washington a reciprocal halt on energy targets.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy said the death toll in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia had risen to 23, including four children, following a heavy Russian air raid on Saturday.
Source: AMNA, Axios
