Ukraine ready for 'de-escalatory steps' if Russia eases conflict: Zelensky
KYIV: Ukraine is prepared to take “de-escalatory steps” as long as Russia does the same, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday, as the United States pushed for an end to strikes on energy targets. Zelensky, in his daily address, highlighted “a strong proposal from the United States regarding a mutual halt to strikes on critical infrastructure”. He said: “If this can become the first…
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine indicated on Monday that his nation is prepared to implement "de-escalatory steps," provided that Russia similarly takes such measures. This proposal was bolstered by the United States' call for an end to strikes targeting critical infrastructure. Zelensky emphasized the potential for mutual agreement, stating, "If this can become the first de-escalatory step – stopping Russian strikes on our critical infrastructure, and ours in response – then Ukraine is ready to support de-escalation."
Earlier that day, US President Donald Trump reported that Ukraine and Russia had reached an agreement to refrain from hitting energy targets. However, Zelensky also mentioned that "we see that the Russians are feeling pressure because of our precise responses against Russia’s war economy," and noted that "no one has seen any genuine desire from Russia to move toward ending the war."
The Ukrainian leader expressed optimism that if the United States could secure Russia's genuine readiness to cease the war, Ukraine would reciprocate with its own de-escalatory actions. The previous US push for a ceasefire in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict was overshadowed by the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran, which has been raging for seven months.
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