Zelensky offers refinery halt if Russia stops energy strikes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday Kyiv could halt Russian-refinery strikes if Moscow stopped targeting Ukraine’s energy network, and put Saturday’s Zaporizhzhia toll at 23, France 24 reported Oct. 11.

The France 24 news report put the proposal in the context of a toll that had risen to 23 people, including four children, after the southern city was heavily struck the previous day.

Zelensky made the comments on Telegram, according to the report. He said any de-escalation would have to be mutual and backed by guarantees.

The statement followed pressure from US President Donald Trump, who on Saturday called on Ukraine to replace Zelensky and said he “better damn well stop” hitting Russian oil refineries, according to France 24.

Energy infrastructure has become one of the war’s central pressure points. Kyiv’s offer links Ukrainian strikes on Russian refining assets to Moscow’s attacks on Ukraine’s power system, while leaving open what guarantees would be required.

Zelensky also said he would continue conversations with European leaders on Sunday. He said talks were taking place daily on additional air-defence packages, including ammunition for combat aircraft.

The report did not include a Russian response to Zelensky’s proposal. It also did not specify the earlier Zaporizhzhia death toll from which the figure had risen.

The immediate next step identified in the report is Zelensky’s planned Sunday contact with European leaders over air-defence support.

Source: news report, France 24 with Reuters, Oct. 11