Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed Monday that several international partners have urged his nation to dial back long-range attacks on Russian oil infrastructure as worldwide energy costs continue climbing.
During a media briefing conducted through WhatsApp, Zelensky indicated his country would be willing to pull back on such operations if Russia ceases its assault on Ukraine’s power grid. He also expressed openness to an Easter truce.
“Recently, following such a severe global energy crisis, we have indeed received signals from some of our partners about how to reduce our responses in the oil sector and the energy sector of the Russian Federation,” Zelensky stated during the virtual press conference.
A knowledgeable source revealed that American officials delivered this message to Ukrainian leadership during routine discussions, noting that the original “signals” seemed to originate from Moscow.
Neither the U.S. State Department nor Russia’s Washington embassy provided immediate responses when asked for comment.
The ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran has tightened global oil, gas, and refined product availability, driving prices higher in what represents the most severe energy supply disruption on record. Russian attacks on Ukraine’s power infrastructure have already forced the country to search desperately for energy sources.
Following a four-day Middle Eastern diplomatic mission, Zelensky announced he had secured commitments from regional nations to provide energy assistance to Ukraine.
Over the weekend during his Middle East tour, Zelensky revealed he had negotiated a one-year diesel supply agreement for Ukraine, though he didn’t elaborate on specifics. Diesel fuel remains essential for Ukraine’s military operations and agricultural industry, which forms the foundation of the nation’s economy.
Throughout his trip, Ukraine established preliminary cooperation agreements with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, with another deal reportedly being finalized with the United Arab Emirates.
Zelensky mentioned discussing air defense missile supplies with Middle Eastern officials during his meetings, though he didn’t specify whether any deals were reached.
Due to the Iran conflict, Ukraine’s international supporters are “primarily” directing their anti-ballistic missile systems toward the Middle East currently, sometimes leaving Ukraine overlooked, he explained.
