Zelensky Says Ukraine Ready For "De-Escalatory Steps"

President Volodymyr Zelensky declared Ukraine prepared to de-escalate the conflict with Russia, contingent on the opposing side making the same commitment, following US President Trump's announcement that the nations had agreed to cease strikes on energy infrastructure. Amid rising international oil prices, Trump had previously criticized Ukraine's attacks on Russian refineries, attributing them to a diesel fuel shortage.

In a surprise social media post on Monday, Trump declared that Ukraine had agreed not to target Russian energy facilities and that Russia had reciprocated. Although Russia offered no immediate response, Zelensky emphasized in a daily address the US proposal for a mutual cessation of strikes on critical infrastructure. He stated, "If this can become the first de-escalatory step – halting Russian strikes on our critical infrastructure and vice versa – then Ukraine is ready to support de-escalation."

Zelensky noted that Russia appeared to be under pressure due to Ukraine's precise strikes against the nation's war economy, adding that he had not observed any genuine desire from Russia to end the war. He concluded by saying that if US partners succeed in securing Russia's real readiness to stop the war, Ukraine would reciprocate with its own de-escalatory measures.