Zelenskyy: 'Lives More Important Than Energy Prices' — Ukraine Defends Refinery Strikes, Proposes Conditional Energy Ceasefire

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy defended his country's recent strikes on Russian oil refineries, saying Kyiv must respond to Moscow's attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure even as global fuel prices rise.

Key Remarks and Rationale

'Our lives are more important than the price of energy,'

Zelenskyy told The Wall Street Journal in an interview on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday. He argued that Russia responds only to force and stressed that disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz and Middle East tensions have also pushed up energy costs.

Scope and Verification

Zelenskyy asserted that Ukrainian operations have taken roughly 45% of Russia's refining capacity out of action — a figure that could not be independently verified. Still, analysts say Ukrainian strikes have contributed to a decline in Russian fuel production at a time when global supplies are already under pressure.

Diplomacy and the Energy Ceasefire Proposal

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Zelenskyy to stop striking refineries because of their effect on energy markets. On X, Zelenskyy wrote that he, President Trump and their teams discussed ways to end the war and floated an "energy ceasefire": Ukraine would halt attacks on Russian energy targets if Russia stopped attacking Ukrainian electricity, heating and water infrastructure.

Zelenskyy told The Wall Street Journal that Trump did not raise energy prices in their New York meeting earlier that day, though he acknowledged pressure from U.S. officials over the strikes. He said he expected the U.S. to try to negotiate a halt to attacks on energy infrastructure but warned that Vladimir Putin was unlikely to change course without additional pressure, including stronger sanctions.

Allied Proposals and Ukrainian Conditions

French President Emmanuel Macron has proposed a mutual moratorium on strikes targeting energy facilities. Zelenskyy has framed any pause as strictly reciprocal, pointing to sustained Russian attacks on Ukraine's power grid as winter approaches. "We are ready for an energy ceasefire if they do not attack our energy system, our electricity, heating, and water supply," he said on X.

Military Aid and Winter Preparedness

Separately, Zelenskyy said he requested a "winter package" of U.S. military aid, including Patriot air-defense systems and other technologies to help Ukraine withstand another season of Russian attacks.

Economic and Strategic Impact

The Wall Street Journal reported that Russia accounted for about 11% of global diesel exports in 2025 before Ukrainian strikes sharply curtailed output; Moscow has since limited most diesel exports to preserve domestic supplies. U.S. diesel prices, cited to the Oil Price Information Service, averaged $6.53 a gallon on Tuesday — nearly $1 higher than a month earlier.

Wider Security Concerns

Zelenskyy warned that Russia has paid a heavy personnel price for limited territorial gains and cautioned that Putin, seeking a domestic victory, might take risky actions to appear strong — even risking confrontation with NATO, a scenario Zelenskyy called "bloody marketing." He said he was pessimistic about near-term peace talks: "One of us is not ready," he added, referring to Russia.

Allegations Against Other States

Zelenskyy singled out India, Turkey and especially China for positions that he said have supported Moscow. He accused Beijing of supplying unspecified technology to Russia — possibly communications tools akin to commercial satellite services — and suggested China could be using the conflict to test technologies for future use. He also said North Korea appears to be gaining combat experience by sending personnel to fight alongside Russian forces.

Contacts and Personal Toll

Zelenskyy confirmed a recent meeting with CIA Director John Ratcliffe but offered no details. Nearly five years after Russia's full-scale invasion, he acknowledged the personal strain of leading Ukraine through war, saying he makes hundreds of sensitive decisions each day and has made many mistakes.

Reporting note: Many of the operational claims remain difficult to verify independently. This article preserves Zelenskyy's statements while noting where figures or assertions lack independent confirmation.

© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.