Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made a statement to Russian President Vladimir Putin to suspend attacks on the Russian refineries and enable Kyiv to receive advanced Patriot interceptor missiles from the United States in return. The plan responds to a top Trump administration priority he has put forward to both Russia and Ukraine to halt attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure.
Zelensky Outlines Conditions to Washington
In an interview with Trey Yingst, Zelensky claimed he has had dozens of conversations with Trump and his administration regarding attacks on energy facilities.
He pointed out that Ukraine should not tolerate the continuation of the attacks on its Electricity and Gas infrastructures, as well as the attack of civilians, by the Russian Armed forces.
The city had offered two solutions: Russian forces halt any attacks on energy infrastructure or the U.S. gives Ukraine Patriot missile systems, Zelensky said. Additionally, Ukraine was ready to provide financing for the weapons rather than all from the United States, he added.
The Ukrainian President also proposed a suspension of strikes with the missiles supplied by the US against Russian refineries for a month.
Regarding a possible pressure attempt, Zelensky replied he did not hesitate to share what he called the truth, between “partners.”
Patriot Missile Supply Remains a Concern
Patriot systems are one of Ukraine’s core defence lines to counter Russian missiles and drones. Ukrainian defence authorities have numerous times alerted to the dwindling supply of their interceptor missiles.
On Friday, the Trump administration authorized the sale of 500 Patriot missiles to Ukraine, the US State Department announced. But Zelensky warned that the deliveries might take years, and Kyiv had concerns regarding its immediate defence needs.
Trump has also demanded to suppress attacks on energy infrastructure in the face of surging prices for global energy that stems from tensions between Iran and Russia-Ukraine.