Zelensky: Halting energy strikes could open path to peace talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in an interview with the Financial Times, stated that halting Russian air attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities and cargo ships could pave the way for negotiations aimed at ending the war.
- A decision on energy security could be made. In other words: we do not attack their energy infrastructure, they do not attack ours. Can this lead to the end of the hot phase of the war? I believe so - said the Ukrainian leader.
Zelensky's proposal for Putin
The second condition is that Moscow not attack commercial ships in the Black Sea. Zelensky stated that this could be a signal that the Kremlin is ready to end the war. However, he believes Russia's willingness to negotiate "depends primarily on the elections in the USA at the moment."
- If Moscow and Kyiv agreed to end attacks on each other's energy infrastructure, it would be a significant step towards de-escalating the conflict - Zelensky remarked, referring to Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian refineries.
The Ukrainian army has suffered several defeats in recent months. The Russians have launched offensives on many sections of the front. The Russians are also pushing Ukrainians out of the Kursk region in Russia.
"Losses on the battlefield and the prospect of a winter marked by prolonged power outages prompted Zelensky to intensify efforts to gain Western support for his 'victory plan,' which includes inviting Kyiv to join NATO and further security guarantees that would deter Russia from re-attacking," writes the Financial Times.
Ukraine wants to join NATO. Zelensky on nuclear weapons
Zelensky denied that any talks were being held with Western countries about a "land for peace" deal, which would aim at including Ukraine in NATO in exchange for giving up territories currently under Russian control.
- In all discussions, we now raise the issue of security guarantees, and the strongest of all is NATO - he said.
Zelensky also referred to his statements regarding nuclear weapons or membership in the Alliance. During his visit to Brussels, the President of Ukraine announced on Thursday, 17th October, that he had spoken with former U.S. President Donald Trump about Ukraine's prospects of joining NATO. During the conversation, Zelensky emphasised that Kyiv faces two options: joining the North Atlantic Alliance or acquiring nuclear weapons.
Zelensky explained that when Ukraine gave up its nuclear arsenal in the 1990s, Russia signed international treaties guaranteeing the internationally recognised borders of the former Soviet republic. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin ignored these documents when he ordered the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
- We gave up and got nothing in return, except a full-scale war and many casualties - Zelensky said. - We don't have nuclear weapons, we are not in NATO, and we won't be in NATO during the war; that's why I need this deterrent package - he noted.
Ukraine plans to organise a second peace summit to discuss the possibilities of ending the war, but the Russian Foreign Minister said that Moscow will refuse to participate.
