Zelenskyy's office responds to FT report on Russia-Ukraine 'talks' over energy facilities attacks
Photo: Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to the head of Ukraine's President Office (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Russia will not give up strikes on the energy sector, as this is its key argument for psychological and emotional pressure on Ukraine and its partners. Talking about “negotiations” between Kyiv and Moscow to end the strikes "is a bit of a strange logic", Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to the head of Ukraine's President Office, told RBC-Ukraine.
According to Podolyak, this is the fourth time he has heard about “negotiations mediated by Qatar” to end the strikes on energy facilities. Each time the media refers to anonymous sources.
He added that Russia, given the type of war it had waged before, used strikes on the energy sector as a key argument for psychological and emotional pressure on Ukraine and its international partners. Besides, Russia only continues to escalate by:
- conducting nuclear exercises;
- purchasing missiles from other countries;
- bringing in manpower from North Korea.
“It's a bit of a strange logic. Well, as always, when we read somewhere in the Western media that certain processes are taking place, it is always unclear to me, based on what logic are they talking about. Why should Russia abandon the type of war it is waging if it does not know how to fight in any other way?” Podolyak said.
When asked whether anyone needs this fake, Podolyak said: “Yes,” and warned that the fake news will continue.
“Ukraine clearly states: the war must end, with references to international law and with Russia's unconditional responsibility, including financial responsibility, including for the destruction of energy facilities in Ukraine,” he said.
'Negotiations' on the energy sector
Financial Times, citing diplomatic sources, reported that preliminary talks have allegedly begun between Russia and Ukraine with the mediation of Qatar aimed at stopping the strikes on the energy infrastructure of both countries.
According to the source, these discussions are at a very early stage.
The Russian leader's press secretary Dmitry Peskov called this report a "disinformation campaign."
