US pushes for energy ceasefire between Russia, Ukraine

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would like Russia and Ukraine to halt mutual attacks on energy infrastructure, calling for an immediate ceasefire covering energy facilities in both countries.

“We think that would be a great idea — an energy infrastructure ceasefire, in which Ukraine’s infrastructure is not being targeted, and Russian energy supplies are not being targeted as well,” the US secretary of state said.

Rubio said such an arrangement would effectively amount to a freeze on attacks against energy infrastructure. However, he stressed that any agreement would require the consent of both Russia and Ukraine.

According to Rubio, an energy ceasefire would be desirable for the United States, although reaching an agreement would be difficult because both sides would need to agree to the arrangement.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska arrived in New York on September 22 to attend the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. Zelenskyy is scheduled to hold around 20 official meetings during his visit.

By Vafa Guliyeva