Zelensky Seeks Reciprocity as US Urges Halt to Strikes on Russian Energy

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine is ready to support a mutual halt to strikes on critical infrastructure, backing a US proposal for de-escalation while stressing that any arrangement must work both ways. In his Monday evening address, Zelensky described the initiative as a “strong proposal” from the US.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “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,” Zelensky said. He added that Ukraine’s long-range strikes were already putting pressure on Russia’s “war economy,” while stressing that Moscow would need to genuinely and consistently uphold any arrangement. The remarks followed US President Donald Trump’s announcement earlier Monday that the two sides had agreed to stop targeting each other’s energy infrastructure. “Ukraine has agreed not to hit Russian Energy targets. Russia has agreed to do so, likewise,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. Kyiv’s position, however, remained explicitly reciprocal: Ukraine would halt its strikes if its partners could ensure Russia stops attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities, logistics, food routes and other critical infrastructure. The Ukrainian leader has also warned against a temporary arrangement that would simply give Moscow relief from pressure before Russia’s Sept. 18-20 State Duma elections. Other Topics of Interest Putin-Linked Russian Businessman Paid in Part for Trump Jr.’s Wedding Celebrations Donald Trump Jr. and his wife confirmed Umar Kremlev funded two nights of wedding festivities in the Bahamas. Moscow welcomes halt to Ukrainian strikes The Kremlin had earlier welcomed Trump’s call for Kyiv to stop targeting Russian diesel facilities, but did not initially make an equivalent public commitment regarding Russian attacks on Ukraine. “Any call on the Kyiv regime to stop attacks on civilian economic infrastructure can only be welcomed,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday. That followed Trump’s Sept. 13 call for Zelensky to stop striking Russian diesel infrastructure, even as Russian attacks continued across Ukraine, including near the Polish border. “There are plenty of other targets. Don’t hit diesel fuel,” Trump told reporters during a visit to Ireland. “You have to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia.” The comments came about a week after US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner visited both Kyiv and Moscow as Washington sought to move the two sides closer to negotiations. Despite the diplomatic effort, Russia has continued attacks on Ukrainian civilian, logistics and energy infrastructure. Ukraine, meanwhile, has maintained long-range drone strikes against Russian military and energy targets inside Russia, cutting into Moscow’s energy revenues, increasing pressure to negotiate and contributing to fuel shortages across the country. Fried: Reciprocity is key Former US Ambassador to Poland Daniel Fried, who also served as Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, told Kyiv Post that a mutual infrastructure agreement could be constructive – but warned against asking Ukraine alone to stop its effective strikes. “The idea of a mutual agreement not to hit energy infrastructure is a massively better idea than simply leaning on Ukraine to not hit Russian diesel,” Fried said. Fried said he remained cautious about whether a firm agreement had already been reached. “I’m not sure this agreement actually exists,” he said. A limited ceasefire covering certain targets could work, Fried said, but only if both sides confirm and implement it. “Until it’s real, until the Russians and Ukrainians have confirmed it, and until the Russians have implemented it, I will remain skeptical,” he said. Fried said Ukraine’s attacks on Russian energy infrastructure have proved effective and should not simply be surrendered. “It’s a terrible idea to ask Ukraine to stop without a reciprocal move on the Russian side,” he said. “Ukraine should not make unilateral concessions even under American pressure.” If Kyiv agrees to halt those attacks, Fried said, it should receive something meaningful in exchange. Who is responsible for higher diesel prices? Fried also rejected suggestions that Ukraine should bear primary responsibility for rising diesel prices. “The accusation that Ukraine is responsible for the rise of diesel prices is ridiculous,” he said. If Washington wants more Russian oil on the global market, he said, pressure should be directed at Moscow to end its war rather than at Kyiv to scale back strikes. “There is no American interest served by pressing Ukraine for unilateral concession. Ukraine’s success is an American interest,” he concluded. Congress moves toward tougher Russia sanctions The debate over energy strikes comes as Congress moves toward stronger economic pressure on Moscow. The House Rules Committee on Monday cleared the way for consideration of the Senate-amended Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, reporting the rule by a 7-3 vote. The Senate passed the legislation 86-11 in August. The measure targets Russian officials, financial institutions and Moscow’s shadow fleet and provides authority for tariffs of up to 100% on goods from major buyers of Russian oil and gas or countries helping Russia evade sanctions. Republican Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina said he was “very confident” the measure would advance in the House. Asked whether Trump would sign it if Congress sent it to his desk, Wilson replied: “Absolutely.” Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.