7 hrs ago
Zelensky Offers Conditional De-Escalation as Energy Strikes Debate Continues
Ukraine and Russia are fighting a war that has damaged important buildings and systems.
Some attacks have targeted energy facilities, such as refineries and power-related infrastructure.
Donald Trump said both countries agreed to stop those attacks.
Russia did not immediately confirm the agreement.
Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine was willing to take part if Russia stopped attacking Ukraine’s critical infrastructure first or at the same time.
He also said Ukraine had not yet seen a real Russian desire to end the war.
Meanwhile, Russian attacks on Ukraine’s railways were reported to be getting worse.
European Union countries also delayed renewing sanctions against people and organizations connected to Russia.
The delay followed France’s effort to remove billionaire Alisher Usmanov from the sanctions list.
Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine could support de-escalation if Russia stops attacking critical infrastructure.
Donald Trump announced that Ukraine and Russia had agreed to stop striking energy targets, but Russia did not immediately comment.
Zelensky said Ukraine had seen no genuine Russian willingness to end the war and made its offer conditional on a sincere, long-term Russian commitment.
Ukrainian Railways chief Oleksandr Pertsovsky said Russian attacks on Ukraine’s rail network were worsening each week.
European Union ambassadors delayed extending Russia sanctions after France sought to remove Alisher Usmanov from the bloc’s blacklist.
- Who
- Volodymyr Zelensky, Donald Trump, Russia, Ukraine, European Union ambassadors, and Alisher Usmanov are central to the report.
- What
- Ukraine offered conditional support for stopping attacks on critical infrastructure, while the United States announced an alleged mutual energy-target agreement.
- Where
- The events involve Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and European Union countries, including a reported strike near the Poland-Ukraine border.
- When
- The statements and diplomatic developments were reported on Monday; the European Union sanctions deadline was delayed by one week.
- Why
- The proposed de-escalation aims to stop attacks on critical infrastructure, while sanctions are intended to pressure Russia’s war effort.
Ukraine’s Conditional Position
U.S. Announcement and Russian Uncertainty
Energy-target strikes
Ukraine’s Conditional Position
Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine was ready to stop attacks on critical infrastructure if Russia did the same, but described this as conditional on reciprocal Russian action.
U.S. Announcement and Russian Uncertainty
Donald Trump said Ukraine and Russia had already agreed to stop striking energy targets, while Russia did not immediately comment.
Prospects for ending the war
Ukraine’s Conditional Position
Zelensky said Ukraine had not seen a genuine Russian desire to end the war and would act only if Russia showed sincere, long-term commitment.
U.S. Announcement and Russian Uncertainty
Trump presented the mutual halt as an agreement, but the report does not provide an immediate Russian confirmation or evidence of implementation.
Pressure on Russia
Ukraine’s Conditional Position
Ireland’s government said renewing European Union sanctions was essential to undermine Russia’s war machine and pressure those supporting it.
U.S. Announcement and Russian Uncertainty
France sought to remove Alisher Usmanov from the sanctions list, reportedly in connection with a prisoner-release deal involving French citizens held in Azerbaijan.
Key facts
- Proposed halt
- Donald Trump said Ukraine and Russia had agreed not to strike energy targets.
- Ukraine’s position
- Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine was ready to support de-escalation if Russia stopped attacks on critical infrastructure.
- Russia’s response
- Russia made no immediate comment on Trump’s announcement.
- Railway attacks
- Oleksandr Pertsovsky said Russian strikes on Ukraine’s rail network were worsening each week.
- Border incident
- Poland said Russia hit a train about two kilometres from the Poland-Ukraine border.
- Sanctions deadline
- European Union ambassadors delayed extending sanctions against nearly 3,000 individuals and entities by one week.
- Alisher Usmanov
- France sought to remove the Uzbek-Russian metals tycoon from the European Union sanctions blacklist.
Quotes
Volodymyr Zelensky
President of Ukraine
“If this can become the first de-escalatory step -- stopping Russian strikes on our critical infrastructure, and ours in response -- then Ukraine is ready to support de-escalation.”
NDTV
“Ukraine has agreed not to hit Russian Energy targets. Russia has agreed to do, likewise!”
NDTV
Oleksandr Pertsovsky
Chief executive of the state Ukrainian Railways operator
“It's growing exponentially. Each month, each week is generally worse than the previous one.”
NDTV
Sources
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