President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine is prepared to accept a partial ceasefire that would halt strikes on energy infrastructure, and that the United States would relay the offer to Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has rejected the idea, favoring talks toward a comprehensive peace. Zelensky also requested additional Patriot interceptors from Washington but received no firm commitment; he said the positive sign was that no one had explicitly said no.
Zelensky Offers Partial Ceasefire to Spare Energy Infrastructure — US Will Relay Offer to Russia
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky attends the United Nations General Assembly. (is associated with: «Zelensky says Ukraine ready for energy strikes ceasefire») Mick Tsikas/AAP/dpa
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that Ukraine is prepared to accept a partial ceasefire with Russia that would specifically suspend strikes on energy infrastructure. He announced the proposal after talks with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Debate in New York, adding that the United States would pass the offer to Moscow.
Details From the Meeting
Zelensky said Kyiv would refrain from targeting facilities across the energy sector if Russia agreed to the limited ceasefire. He stressed that Mr. Trump did not ask Ukraine to refrain from strikes on other targets, including Russia's oil industry. Zelensky also noted that, days earlier, President Trump had linked rising diesel prices in the United States to Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries.
"When discussing sensitive issues with leaders, they can either say yes or no," Zelensky said, adding that a positive sign from the meeting was that no one had explicitly said no.
Security and Military Assistance
Zelensky said he raised the prospect of additional US deliveries of Patriot air-defence interceptors during the meeting, but Washington gave no concrete commitment. Ukraine's air-defence systems have struggled to intercept Russian ballistic missiles in recent weeks because of a shortage of interceptor rounds for Patriot batteries.
Economic Impact
Russian airstrikes on warehouses, energy facilities and, more recently, major steel producers and industrial plants are increasingly harming the Ukrainian economy. Zelensky framed the partial ceasefire proposal as a way to protect critical civilian infrastructure while broader negotiations continue.
Ukraine has been defending itself against a full-scale Russian invasion since February 2022.
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