Zelenskyy on energy truce: Russia either has four days per week or chooses war
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (photo: flickr by president_of_Ukraine)
Russia broke the so-called energy truce and waited to launch an attack during the coldest days of this winter. Moscow may be betting on war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Russia broke the energy truce
The head of the Ukrainian state recalled that United States President Donald Trump asked Russia to suspend strikes on Ukraine's energy and critical infrastructure. This was a very important decision. The energy truce effectively began on the night of January 30.
"On the night of today, the Russians, in our view, broke the promise. That is, either Russia now believes that there are not a full seven days in a week but only four, or they are truly betting on war alone and simply waited for the coldest days of this winter, when temperatures across a large part of Ukraine are below minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit)," he said.
As the president clarified, the Americans expected that this initiative would work for a week, until the next meeting of the Ukrainian, Russian, and American delegations. It was necessary to demonstrate that de-escalation steps were taking place. And they were supposed to continue, which the Ukrainian side counted on.
"If you look at the strike package that Russia wanted to use at the moment when the talks in Abu Dhabi ended last time, then in principle, there was simply less of everything. What did they do? They postponed the strike, increased the number of missiles and drones, and struck on the coldest days. That is, I would not say that someone gave us a gift. I do not believe that happened," he said.
Anti-record
Zelenskyy clarified that today, in the context of the Russian attack, there was an anti-record, as the enemy used 28 cruise missiles and another 43 missiles of various types that approached targets along a ballistic trajectory. Such targets can be shot down only by Patriot systems. Ukraine needs more missiles for such systems, and deliveries must be prompt.
According to him, the Russians wanted, through such a strike, to deprive people of electricity and heating and cause a blackout.
"We will contact the American side on this matter. I expect that partners will not remain silent about what is happening. Everyone must continue supporting the defense of our country and the protection of our people," he said.
Energy truce
Last week, United States President Donald Trump said he asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to suspend strikes on Kyiv and other peaceful cities of Ukraine for a week.
At the same time, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that the Kremlin agreed to refrain from strikes until February 1.
Such a truce began on the night of January 30. On the night of February 3, Russians carried out massive strikes on energy facilities in several regions of Ukraine. As a result, a large number of people were left without heating during severe frost.
