Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered Washington an alternative to the arrangements between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Russian diesel sales. He proposed a “diesel deal” under which Ukraine would hold back from striking Russian diesel infrastructure if the United States guarantees the protection of Ukraine’s energy system. He spoke by video link at the Warsaw Security Forum, UATV English reports.
“So yes, let’s sign a corresponding ‘diesel deal’ with the President of the United States. If we can be guaranteed protection of our electricity system, we will not respond against Russian diesel infrastructure,” Zelenskyy said.
Zelenskyy argued that Russian diesel is a negligible share of global consumption and cannot move world prices. He put Russia’s monthly supply at
300,000-500,000 tonnes against global demand of 120 million tonnes, and its share of the world diesel market at 2.2%. The real roots of the fuel crisis, he said, lie elsewhere, including in the Middle East.
He said a stable Ukrainian power sector matters beyond the country’s borders. Ukraine is connected to the European grid and can supply cheaper electricity to countries facing shortages.
Food security
Zelenskyy said the international debate focuses almost exclusively on energy while overlooking food. If Russia keeps blocking sea routes, he warned, a serious agricultural crisis could emerge within a month or two, with shortages in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, where Ukraine exports millions of tonnes of farm products.
“The United States doesn’t feel this, which is why the question is only about energy. This is another challenge. This is hunger. And it can happen in many countries,” he said.
No de-escalation from Moscow. Zelenskyy said Ukraine sees no sign that Russia is ready to de-escalate or genuinely end the war, and that Putin exploits the West’s desire for dialogue while trying to hold talks without equality or fairness.
“Ukraine is simply showing that it is a normal independent state that is ready to negotiate. But Ukraine will not disgrace itself,” Zelenskyy said.
The offer follows Kyiv’s earlier proposal that it would stop striking Russian oil refineries if Moscow stops hitting Ukraine’s energy grid. On Monday morning, Zelenskyy said Russia had already violated the energy truce announced by Trump.
