Ukraine proposes ceasefire on striking energy targets to Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on ⁠Monday that he ⁠stood by a ⁠proposal made to Russia for a ceasefire contingent on Moscow halting all attacks on energy infrastructure.

Zelensky said in his nightly video address that the proposal had ‌been conveyed to Moscow through the US. He also said work was continuing with US negotiators on security guarantees, which he called the key to lasting peace.

Ukraine has been fighting a full-scale Russian invasion for more than four years. Due to targeted Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, millions of people are affected by prolonged power and heating outages.

In turn, by attacking Russia’s oil industry, Ukraine hopes to weaken Moscow’s war industry, which is largely financed by energy revenues.

“If Russia is ready to stop strikes on our energy infrastructure, ⁠we will be ready to respond in kind,” he said. “This ‌proposal has been conveyed to the Russian side through the Americans.”