Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv was prepared to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries for one month if the United States supplied Ukraine with Patriot missiles for the same period. He also stressed that Russia must stop attacking Ukraine’s energy system if it wants Ukrainian strikes on its refineries to end.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy made the remarks in an interview with Fox News.
Zelenskyy recalled that he had discussed the issue of halting attacks on Russian oil refineries with Donald Trump on several occasions.
“We cannot simply refrain from responding after Russian attacks on our energy infrastructure, after Russia kills our people,” he said.
According to Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian side had explained to Washington that if the United States wanted Ukraine to stop striking Russian oil refineries, Russia would have to stop attacking Ukraine’s energy system.
The president also proposed an alternative — supplying Ukraine with Patriot missiles, which Kyiv was willing to pay for.
“Give us this package. We need this package. You can give it to us for one month, not three. If you need us not to attack refineries for one month, give me Patriots for one month,” Zelenskyy said.
Asked whether he was concerned that Trump might see the proposal as an attempt to put pressure on the United States, Zelenskyy replied that he had no concerns about telling the truth to partners.
“Our countries are strong partners. American society is a huge supporter of ours. That is why I have to tell the president the truth about the real situation: America cannot help Russia. The president cannot help Putin,” he stressed.
