Zelensky proposes energy truce to pave way for 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 set the stage for negotiations to end the war.
1:56 PM EDT, October 23, 2024
"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 think so," said the Ukrainian leader.
Zelensky's proposal for Putin
The second condition is for Moscow to refrain from attacking commercial ships in the Black Sea. "This could be a signal that the Kremlin is ready to end the war," Zelensky said. However, he believes that Russia's willingness to negotiate "depends primarily on the elections in the U.S. at the moment."
"If Moscow and Kyiv agreed to end attacks on each other's energy infrastructures, it would be a significant step towards de-escalating the conflict," Zelensky said, referring to Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian refineries.
The Ukrainian army has faced several setbacks in recent months. The Russians have launched offensives on numerous 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 have prompted Zelensky to intensify efforts to gain Western support for his 'victory plan,' which includes inviting Kyiv to join NATO and securing further guarantees to deter Russia from launching another attack," writes the Financial Times.
Ukraine wants to join NATO: Zelensky on nuclear weapons
Zelensky denied that any talks were taking place with Western countries about a "land for peace" deal, which would involve including Ukraine in NATO in exchange for relinquishing 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 addressed his comments regarding nuclear weapons and NATO membership. The President of Ukraine announced that during his visit to Brussels on Thursday, October 17, he had spoken with former U.S. President Donald Trump about Ukraine's prospects of joining NATO. During the conversation, Zelensky emphasized that Kyiv faces two options: joining the North Atlantic Alliance or acquiring nuclear weapons.
Zelensky explained that when Ukraine relinquished its nuclear arsenal in the 1990s, Russia signed international treaties guaranteeing the internationally recognized borders of the former Soviet republic. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin ignored these agreements 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 organize a second peace summit to discuss options for ending the war, but the Russian Foreign Minister has stated that Moscow will refuse to participate in the summit.
