Zelenskyy says partners urge Ukraine to ease attacks on Russian oil industry
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
Following the global energy crisis, Ukraine has received signals from some partners regarding a reduction in retaliatory strikes against Russia’s oil sector, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says in comments to journalists.
"We are not just striking. We are responding. Let me remind you why. Recently, following the global energy crisis, we have received signals from some of our partners on how to reduce our retaliatory strikes against Russia’s oil and energy sector," the President says.
Zelenskyy emphasizes that if Russia is ready to refrain from attacking Ukraine’s energy sector, Ukraine will not retaliate with strikes against Russia.
"We are ready to discuss, as you recall, any ceasefire. A complete ceasefire. A total ceasefire. A ceasefire regarding the energy sector. A ceasefire on food security and energy, that is, both sea and air. A complete one, so that neither missiles nor drones fly. No strikes on infrastructure. We have proposed all of this. And we are open. If the Russians are ready, please, we are ready. Let them propose any timeframe, we are ready to resolve this issue," the head of state notes.
He also adds that Ukraine continues to discuss the situation with its Middle Eastern partners, particularly regarding the exchange of prisoners and the return of Ukrainian children taken to Russia, through the mediation of Qatar.
"So, regarding the issue of Russia’s war against Ukraine and its consequences: we are certainly discussing all of this. For us, this is a priority," Zelenskyy concludes.
Ukraine’s attacks on Russia
On the night of March 29, drones attacked Russia’s Leningrad region, causing a fire at the port of Ust-Luga.
This is one of Russia’s largest ports on the Baltic Sea and a key hub for the export of Russian petroleum products.
Attacks had occurred previously: on the night of March 27, unidentified drones also attacked the oil ports in Ust-Luga and Primorsk.
On March 25, a fire had already broken out at the Ust-Luga port following a drone attack.
