If We Couldn’t Strike Back, Putin Would Have Already Occupied Us — Zelenskyy On Long-Range Strikes

During talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump, the topic of Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries in Russia came up. Zelenskyy explained that if Ukraine wanted a truce and ceasefire, it needed to stop its attacks on energy facilities, as Putin wouldn't want Ukraine responding to strikes on their refineries and diesel fuel production.

Zelenskyy emphasized that long-range strikes are Ukraine's strength, and without the ability to strike back, Putin would have already occupied Ukraine.

Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is ready to discuss an energy truce, which would involve suspending strikes on each other's energy facilities. He noted that Putin isn't winning on the battlefield in Ukraine, and that's a problem for him. However, Putin is trying to create victories domestically by staging provocations in Europe to explain why so many Russians are dying at the front each month. Zelenskyy expressed concern that when Russians return home, Putin fears they will question the purpose of their fight.

He warned that if Europe loses support for Ukraine, Putin may break unity in Europe and the United States, reduce support for Ukraine, and apply pressure. Russia may even attack other countries besides Ukraine, including Moldova, Romania, and Poland with drones. Zelenskyy stated that countries where Russia carries out provocations need to respond, as failing to do so will allow Russia to go further.