Ukrainian allies signal Kyiv on scaling back strikes amid energy crisis

Some of Ukraine’s allies have sent Kyiv “signals” about the possibility of reducing its long-range strikes on Russia’s oil sector amid a spike in global energy prices, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

Speaking to reporters in a WhatsApp briefing, Zelenskyy added that Ukraine is ready to reciprocate if Russia halts attacks on the Ukrainian energy system and said Kyiv is open to an Easter ceasefire, Reuters repoprts.

“Recently, ⁠following such a severe global energy crisis, we have indeed received signals from some of our partners about how to reduce our responses in the oil sector and the energy sector of the Russian Federation,” Zelenskyy said.

The US-Israeli war on Iran has disrupted international supplies of oil, gas, and refined products, sending prices soaring. Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have already forced the country to scramble for supplies.

Fresh from a four-day visit to the Middle East, Zelenskyy said he had secured agreements with some countries in the region to provide energy support to Ukraine. Over the weekend, he said he reached a deal on diesel deliveries for a year, crucial for both Ukraine’s armed forces and its agricultural sector, though he did not provide further details.

During the trip, Ukraine signed framework cooperation deals with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and is reportedly close to finalizing a similar agreement with the United Arab Emirates. Zelenskyy also raised the issue of air defence missile supplies with Middle Eastern leaders, without specifying if any agreements were reached.

Because of the war in Iran, Zelenskyy noted, Ukraine’s international partners are “primarily” sending their anti-ballistic missile systems to the Middle East at present, sometimes leaving Ukraine “forgotten” in the process.

By Vafa Guliyeva