Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Kyiv was prepared to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries, as demanded by U.S. President Donald Trump's team, but exclusively under the implementation of one of three specific scenarios. The Ukrainian leader made these remarks in an interview with the TSN.Tyzhden program, emphasizing that the defense forces' attacks on Russian facilities were a forced and fair response to strikes on Ukraine's energy grid.
Kyiv's Stance on Global Prices and Fairness
The head of state noted that Ukrainian strikes on refineries could not significantly impact global markets and world prices. According to his data, Russia's share in global diesel exports is only 2%, while the remaining 98% comes from other international exporters. Zelenskyy described the current actions as a matter of fairness given that Russia inflicts severe damage on Ukraine's critical infrastructure.
Three Options for the American Side
During discussions with Washington, the Ukrainian side proposed three possible scenarios to resolve the situation. The first option involves a mirror energy truce, where Russia ceases strikes on Ukrainian electricity in exchange for halting attacks on Russian refineries and diesel infrastructure. The second scenario consists of opening Starlink terminals over Russian territory to precisely eliminate ballistic missile launchers. The third option entails supplying additional missiles for Patriot air defense systems if access to Elon Musk's satellite network is not granted.
Lack of Reaction and Deterioration of the Situation
According to the Ukrainian president, none of the proposed scenarios were implemented by Washington. Moreover, amidst the lack of agreements, the situation continued to deteriorate: the United States lifted part of the sanctions against Russia, and the speed of Starlink terminals was reduced. Under these conditions, Ukraine continues to defend its energy system and fight for survival.
Significance and Potential Consequences
The voiced conditions demonstrate the rigid connection of Ukraine's military strategy to the scale of Western support and the security of its own critical infrastructure. The lack of progress on the proposed scenarios means maintaining the current intensity of strikes on Russian rear facilities. Amid preparations for possible trilateral contacts at the technical level in November, Kyiv's security stance remains unchanged.
