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Zelensky Offers to Halt Attacks on Russian Refineries for Patriot Missiles
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In Short: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday that his country would stop hitting Russian oil refineries if the US provided Patriot interceptor missiles.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday that his country would stop hitting Russian oil refineries if the US provided Patriot interceptor missiles. Speaking to Fox News host Trey Yingst, Zelensky outlined the conditions under which Ukraine would cease its attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.
Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine's attacks on Russian refineries were a response to Russia's own attacks on Ukrainian energy systems. He stated, 'We asked that we can’t not respond after Russia’s attack on our energy, after Russia is killing our people, attacks on our electricity, gas, refineries, on everything.'
Zelensky proposed an alternative solution: 'We said that if you want us not to attack Russia’s refineries, they have not to attack our energy system. Another alternative, give us Patriot missiles, we will find money, not just aid.' He added, 'I don’t have any concerns when I share the truth between partners.'
Zelensky also mentioned that he had had 'different and several' conversations with US President Donald Trump and his team about the issue. He clarified that he was not concerned about being seen as trying to 'leverage' Trump, stating, 'Asked if he was concerned that this would be seen as trying to “leverage” Trump, Zelensky answered in the negative.'
Trump, battling inflation at home driven in large part by soaring energy prices fueled by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, has demanded that the European foes stop attacking each other’s energy sites. Zelensky said if Washington provided the missile systems for one month, Kyiv would cease attacks on Russian refineries for the same period.
The Trump administration on Friday green-lit the sale of 500 Patriot missiles to Ukraine, but the Ukrainian president warned deliveries could take years. Zelensky told US lawmakers Monday, Oct. 19, that Ukraine had nearly exhausted its US-supplied Patriot interceptors and offered to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries for 30 days in exchange for American air defense assistance.
Ukrainian authorities have been warning for weeks that their supplies of the interceptor missiles were dwindling. Zelensky said the shortage of Patriot interceptors had become particularly dangerous as Russia intensified ballistic missile attacks, including strikes targeting power facilities ahead of winter.
The Kremlin, however, says Kyiv is ‘simply ignoring’ US wishes days before midterm elections after reported strikes on two oil sites. Ukraine's campaign targeting Russian oil refineries is ongoing, according to Ukrainian officials, who rejected reports that Kyiv had agreed to suspend the strikes.
What this adds
Zelensky's offer to halt attacks on Russian refineries for Patriot missiles comes amid ongoing tensions and conflicting reports about the status of Ukraine's attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.
Background
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that Ukraine would resume drone strikes on Russian oil refineries, following Russia's continued attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure despite a pause in such operations by Ukraine.
What's confirmed
- WASHINGTON: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday that his country would stop hitting Russian oil refineries — a key demand of US President Donald Trump — if Washington provided Kyiv with powerful Patriot interceptor missiles.
- “We asked that we can’t not respond after Russia’s attack on our energy, after Russia is killing our people, attacks on our electricity, gas, refineries, on everything,” he told Fox News host Trey Yingst.
- Speaking to US broadcaster Fox News on Sunday, Zelensky said he had had “different and several” conversations with Trump and his team about the issue.
- “I don’t have any concerns when I share the truth between partners,” he said.
- Asked if he was concerned that this would be seen as trying to “leverage” Trump, Zelensky answered in the negative.
- Zelensky said if Washington provided the missile systems for one month Kyiv would cease attacks on Russian refineries for the same period.
- The Trump administration on Friday green-lit the sale of 500 Patriot missiles to Ukraine, the State Department said, but the Ukrainian president warned deliveries could take years.
What's still developing
- Ukraine comes closer to making Patriot missiles domestically.
- The fire-damaged vessel was pictured after Romanian authorities launched a rescue mission Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned a "horrific" Russian attack on a vessel carrying corn in the Black Sea.
- "We said you could do whatever you want to Russia, don't hit the refineries, because that's a world problem that's caused," Trump said on Oct. 10.