Ukrainian president wants deal to stop attacks on energy facilities

Kiev is ready to halt attacks on Russian energy infrastructure if Moscow does the same, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday, a proposal that was discussed during Qatar-mediated talks but later abandoned after Ukraine attacked Russia's Kursk enclave.

"At the peace summit for Ukraine, the parties made a proposal to ensure energy security. Accordingly, we do not attack Russia's energy infrastructure and vice versa. This agreement could cool down the conflict," President Zelensky said. He also said that this possibility is entirely possible.

According to the Ukrainian President, ensuring energy security and freedom of navigation would be signs that the conflict would soon end if Russia accepted the conditions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. (Photo: Reuters)

Since late 2022, Russia has been using missiles and drones to attack Ukraine's energy infrastructure as a way to cripple its weapons production and military logistics. In response, Kiev has deployed long-range drones to attack Russian oil refineries and fuel storage facilities.

In August, the Washington Post reported, citing sources, that Russia and Ukraine were supposed to hold indirect talks in Qatar to discuss a halt to attacks on infrastructure. The proposed talks were canceled after Ukraine attacked the Kursk region in August.

The talks were later cancelled as the Russian delegation refused to go to Doha despite Ukraine's stated readiness to negotiate.

According to National Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu, Moscow has received a request from Türkiye to suspend attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure and cargo ships linked to Ankara. Russia said it was ready to consider the proposal, but Ukraine refused to negotiate.

The Russian military has also repeatedly reported attacks on Ukrainian ports to prevent shipments of Western weapons and ammunition by sea.

Tra Khanh (Source: russian.rt.com)

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/tong-thong-ukraine-muon-thoa-thuan-ngung-tan-cong-co-so-nang-luong-ar903461.html