Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that Ukraine would stop striking Russian oil refineries if Washington provides Kyiv with Patriot interceptor missiles.
His offer responds to a key demand from US President Donald Trump, who has called on both sides to stop attacking each other’s energy infrastructure.
Speaking to US broadcaster Fox News, Zelensky said he had held “different and several” conversations with Trump and his team about the issue, reports BSS.
“We asked that we can’t not respond after Russia’s attack on our energy, after Russia is killing our people, attacks on our electricity, gas, refineries, on everything,” he told Fox News host Trey Yingst.
“We said that if you want us not to attack Russia’s refineries, they have not to attack our energy system. Another alternative, give us Patriot missiles, we will find money, not just aid.”
Zelensky said that if Washington provided the missile systems for one month, Kyiv would cease attacks on Russian refineries for the same period.
Patriot missiles are among the most important weapons Ukraine uses to intercept Russian drones and missiles.
Asked if he was concerned that this would be seen as trying to “leverage” Trump, Zelensky answered in the negative.
“I don’t have any concerns when I share the truth between partners,” he said.
The Trump administration green-lit the sale of 500 Patriot missiles to Ukraine on Friday, the State Department said, though Zelensky warned deliveries could take years.
Ukrainian authorities have warned for weeks that their supplies of interceptor missiles were dwindling.
Last week, Zelensky suggested that US and European allies could provide missiles from their stockpiles, which would later be replenished by the new purchase.
Ukrainian officials said the longest truce of the war, limited to the eastern Kherson region, ended on Sunday after Russia refused an extension.
US-mediated talks between Russia and Ukraine are set to resume this month, having been effectively frozen since the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran in February.
