Zelensky on truce: there are no agreements with Russia

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the US initiative for an energy truce between Ukraine and Russia is only at the discussion stage, and Kyiv does not have any direct agreements with Moscow on a ceasefire.

He stated this in a conversation with journalists.

“If Russia heard the signal from the American side the same way we did, then we will definitely have some result and be able to evaluate it. There are no secrets here. There was no direct dialogue, no direct agreements on this between us and Russia,” Zelensky noted.

“Various issues, the most sensitive ones, were discussed at the meeting in Abu Dhabi. The American side also spoke to us separately. I don’t know if they spoke to Russia. They probably did. And the Americans said they wanted to raise the issue of de-escalation – for both sides to demonstrate certain steps to not use long-range capabilities in order to provide more space for diplomacy. Our negotiating team called me to consult. I said that we will adhere to a mirror attitude towards such steps. In any case, we want to end the war and we are ready for de-escalation steps,” the president said.

Ukraine will follow mirror steps: if Russia doesn’t fight, then neither will it.

Zelensky noted that if the Russians do not attack Ukraine’s generation or any other energy sector, then Ukraine will not attack Russia’s energy sector. He believes that this is exactly the outcome the US, as a mediator in the negotiations, is counting on.

“This is a policy that we chose for ourselves a little less than a year ago. A lot was said last year during the meetings in Saudi Arabia about a ceasefire. We were ready for this then. The American side wanted it. We then chose the format of such work – we support all real de-escalation steps, and we consistently demonstrate this. So that no one can accuse us of slowing down the process of moving towards peace or the initiative of the United States. But then there were negative responses from Russia regarding such de-escalation steps. Let’s see how it is now,” he commented.

As a reminder, the day before, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed an agreement on the so-called “energy truce” with Russia for the period of winter cold.

As reported, the American Institute for the Study of War analyzed statements about a possible one-week moratorium on strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, announced by US President Donald Trump after a conversation with Vladimir Putin. Analysts believe that such a pause could allow Russia to accumulate resources for further attacks.

Also follow “Pryamim” on Facebook , Twitter , Telegram , and Instagram .