---
title: "Zelensky: Russia's blackouts will get a 'dignified response' — Kyiv proposes a phased path to peace"
description: "Zelensky stated Ukraine's readiness to respond proportionally to Russian strikes on the power grid and proposed a phased negotiation path toward a cessation of hostilities."
date: 2026-09-11T18:26:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/zelensky-response-to-strikes-on-energy-grid-and-phased-negotiation-approach
tags: [ukraine, zelensky, energy-infrastructure, peace-negotiations, sanctions, russia, prisoner-exchange]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Zelensky: Russia's blackouts will get a 'dignified response' — Kyiv proposes a phased path to peace

![Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his desk in the office amid statement on a worthy response to Russian blackouts and a step-by-step path to peace](https://xab.info/media/2026/09/11/zelensky-otvet-na-udary-po-energosisteme-i-poezaptapnyy-peregovorny-podkhod/zelensky-otvet-na-udary-po-energosisteme-i-poezaptapnyy-peregovorny-podkhod-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- Ukraine is ready to respond proportionally to Russian strikes on the power grid during the cold season
- Kyiv proposes a phased negotiation path as an alternative to a full ceasefire
- Zelensky called for extending prisoner exchanges and returning civilians, including children and journalists
- The first results of the peace process are expected by the end of September 2026
- Kyiv demands stronger sanctions and defense support from the international community

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a dual message in his Telegram channel: on the one hand, Kyiv is ready to respond in kind to Russian strikes on civilian energy infrastructure during the cold season, while on the other hand it is proposing a multi-level negotiation mechanism for a phased cessation of hostilities. This is reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing direct statements by the head of state.

### Proportional response to strikes on the power grid

Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine has "learned to find ways to respond with dignity to Russian operations," and that if the adversary prepares to strike civilian infrastructure, it will face "similar retaliatory measures." "If they cause blackouts for us, we will try to respond with dignity," the president stated, referring to the winter period when the load on the power grid is at its maximum and the consequences of outages for the population are most critical.

### A phased negotiation path as an alternative

At the same time, Zelensky reminded that Kyiv consistently supports an alternative to the military scenario — negotiations to end the war. According to him, if international partners find it difficult to develop a unified approach to Moscow for a full end to hostilities, they should move in stages. In Kyiv's conception, this format allows the diplomatic track not to be blocked, even when the parties are not ready for a comprehensive agreement.

### Prisoner exchanges and the return of citizens

The president placed separate emphasis on the need to extend prisoner exchanges and the return of civilians, including journalists and Ukrainian children held in Russia. Zelensky called this area "extremely important" and stated that the parties should move toward holding a trilateral meeting, which could serve as a platform for coordinating humanitarian steps.

### Timelines and international pressure

The president noted that the first results on the path to peace could appear as early as the end of September. The Ukrainian side expects important meetings with American officials at the end of the month. At the same time, Zelensky considers significant progress in the peace process unlikely before the Russian State Duma elections. Kyiv simultaneously calls on the international community to increase sanctions pressure on Moscow and to boost defense support for Ukraine, so as not to "let the aggressor feel impunity" during the winter period.

### Contradictory data

Open sources record an evolution of negotiation formats: earlier (spring 2025) a meeting in Istanbul was discussed, in February 2025 Kyiv did not recognize the negotiations in Saudi Arabia, and in subsequent statements (including through adviser Podolyak) three specific ceasefire formats were mentioned. Zelensky's current position on a "phased" path does not contradict this data, but indicates that a single mechanism agreed with Russia does not yet exist, and each initiative remains at the stage of a Kyiv proposal.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Zelensky sharply warned Russia: blackouts in Ukraine will get a dignified response](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/ukrayina-gotue-gidnu-vidpovid-rosiyi-vipadok-1789150589.html) - Первичный источник, цитирующий Telegram-канал Зеленского. Подтверждает тезис о симметричном ответе на удары по энергосистеме.
- [Zelensky to send a delegation to negotiations with Russia in Istanbul, but will not go himself. Day 1177 of the war ...](https://www.rfi.fr/ru/%D1%83%D0%BA%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B0/20250515-%D0%BF%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B4-%D0%BF%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BC%D0%B8-%D0%B2-%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%BC%D0%B1%D1%83%D0%BB%D0%B5-%D1%80%D1%84-%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B0-%D1%83%D0%BA%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%83-110-%D0%B4%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%BC%D0%B8-1177-%D0%B9-%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%8C-%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B9%D0%BD%D1%8B-%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%81%D0%B8%D0%B8-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B2-%D1%83%D0%BA%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%8B) - Относится к переговорному треку мая 2025 г. (Стамбул). Использован для контекста эволюции форматов, не противоречит текущим заявлениям.
- [Zelensky: Ukraine does not recognize the negotiations in Saudi Arabia. Day 1090 of Russia's war against ...](https://www.rfi.fr/ru/%D1%83%D0%BA%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B0/20250217-1090-%D0%B9-%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%8C-%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B9%D0%BD%D1%8B-%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%81%D0%B8%D0%B8-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B2-%D1%83%D0%BA%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%8B) - Относится к переговорному треку мая 2025 г. (Стамбул). Использован для контекста эволюции форматов, не противоречит текущим заявлениям.
- [Everything is ready for a meeting with Putin: Zelensky offers Russia three ceasefire formats, — Podolyak](https://focus.ua/voennye-novosti/763227-peregovory-s-rf-v-op-nazvali-tri-predlozheniya-ukrainy-dlya-prekrashcheniya-ognya) - Фиксирует три конкретных формата перемирия, предложенных Киевом. Использован для контекста поэтапного подхода.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: What exactly did Zelensky say about responding to Russian strikes on the power grid?
**A:** The president stated that Ukraine has "learned to find ways to respond with dignity to Russian operations" and that if the adversary causes blackouts, Kyiv "will try to respond with dignity," meaning it will apply proportional measures.

### Q: What negotiation path does Kyiv propose?
**A:** Zelensky proposed moving in stages: if partners find it difficult to find an approach to Russia for a full cessation of hostilities, steps should be implemented sequentially, including prisoner exchanges, the return of citizens, and preparation for a trilateral meeting.

### Q: When, according to Zelensky, could the first results of the peace process appear?
**A:** The president noted that the first results on the path to peace could appear as early as the end of September 2026, with important meetings with American officials expected at the end of the month.

### Q: Why does Zelensky consider progress unlikely before the Russian State Duma elections?
**A:** The head of state links the lack of significant progress in the peace process to the internal political cycle in Russia: in his assessment, Moscow will not be ready for concessions until the Russian State Duma elections are held.