Фото: president.gov.ua
Ukraine is ready not to strike critical infrastructure in Russia if Russia does the same. At the same time, Kyiv doubts that Moscow wants to honor any agreements. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made the statement today in response to Donald Trump’s claim that Ukraine and Russia had allegedly reached an agreement not to strike each other’s energy infrastructure.
According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine had proposed that its partners secure an agreement to halt strikes on critical infrastructure.
“Ukraine proposed that its partners secure an agreement with Russia that would stop the destruction of critical infrastructure. Food, energy and other elements essential to basic living must be protected, while Russian strikes are directed primarily against these targets. Every day, Ukrainian energy facilities, port infrastructure, logistics and even food and pharmaceutical warehouses are targeted. Ukraine is not convinced that Russia has any desire to honor any agreements,” the Ukrainian president said.
Kyiv is ready to halt strikes on critical infrastructure in Russia but fears that Moscow could use this to ease social tensions caused by fuel shortages ahead of parliamentary elections.
“If our partners are ready to ensure Russia’s genuine willingness not to strike our power infrastructure, our other energy facilities, critical infrastructure and the movement of food, then, of course, we are ready to ensure that we likewise refrain from strikes. For this to be reliable, long-term and have a real impact on people’s lives, rather than falling apart after the Russians hold their ‘elections’ and gain a temporary easing of tensions over gasoline and diesel fuel, it must be lasting. The war must end. And a de-escalatory step regarding critical infrastructure could be the first step toward peace. We expect concrete proposals from our partners,” Zelenskyy said.
It should be recalled that Trump said today that Ukraine and Russia had reached an agreement not to strike each other’s energy facilities. In his view, this would help reduce diesel fuel prices.