President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine and its partners are discussing several options for a partial ceasefire in Russia’s war against Ukraine, including arrangements concerning energy infrastructure and the sea.
The head of state said this during a briefing. According to him, Ukraine will likely have to get through the winter under wartime conditions, but opportunities for agreements exist.
“We discussed an energy ceasefire. We are ready not to strike each other’s energy infrastructure. The second issue is a grain ceasefire, or a ceasefire at sea. Because the sea may involve not only grain and agricultural products. It may involve energy, metallurgy, and so on. Both sides are interested.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine
Zelenskyy expressed hope that an agreement on a partial ceasefire could be reached. He said he had discussed the matter with leaders of countries that are “very interested” in such a decision and therefore sees relevant opportunities.
Which countries are interested in calm at sea
According to the president, not only the parties to the war and the United States as a mediator are interested in a ceasefire. He named the following countries among others:
- Egypt;
- Turkey;
- the United Arab Emirates;
- India.
“These are the countries that are very interested in peace and calm at sea. Because they will face a challenge due to a shortage of products. Therefore, we can achieve results here.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine
Talks of a possible energy ceasefire intensified ahead of the onset of cold weather and amid intensified Russian strikes on Ukraine, including against civilian energy infrastructure.
Statements by Trump and Rubio
US President Donald Trump said that fuel shortages around the world had allegedly been caused, among other things, by Russia’s war against Ukraine. He also said that Zelenskyy “must stop destroying Russia’s diesel fuel supplies.”
In response, Zelenskyy said he was ready to halt attacks provided Russia did the same.
On September 23, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, following a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, said that both sides had expressed interest in a certain limited ceasefire concerning grain and energy resources.
