Zelenskyy: Ukraine will halt strikes on Russian refineries if US provides interceptors
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Ukraine is ready to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries at the request of the US, provided Washington supplies the Patriot interceptor missiles needed to repel Russian air attacks.
A journalist asked on American television channel Fox News the Ukrainian president why Ukraine resumed strikes on Russian oil refineries, ignoring the demands of US President Donald Trump. Zelenskyy spoke about negotiations with the American side, where he explained to them that Ukraine must respond to Russia's massive attacks.
"We had different conversations, different and several with President Trump and with his team about attacks on refineries. And we asked that we can't not respond after Russia's attacks on our energy, after Russia is killing our people, attacks on our electricity, gas, refineries, on everything," Zelenskyy said.
Zelenskyy specified that he offered Trump two options under which Ukraine would be ready to halt attacks on oil refineries: a halt of Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy sector, or the provision of missiles for Patriot air defence systems.
"We said that if you want us not to attack Russia's refineries, they have not to attack our energy system. And other alternative – give us Patriot missiles, we will find money, not just aid. Yes, just deliveries and we will pay for it," he said.
The president added that he asked the US for a supply of interceptor missiles for at least one month.
"For one month, if you need us not attack their refineries, for one month, give me Patriot [missiles] for one month," he added.
When asked whether Trump might perceive these requests as an attempt at pressure, Zelenskyy replied that he is not afraid to share the truth with partners. According to Zelenskyy, it consists of the fact that "America can't help Russia, the president can't help Putin".
Axios reported that Trump's son-in-law and special envoy Jared Kushner, during negotiations in Oslo on 20 October with the participation of the leaders of Norway, Finland and Ukraine, once again insisted on the demand to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries.
On 16 October, Zelenskyy said that the US did not agree to a compromise proposal under which Ukraine could have stopped strikes on Russian oil refineries.