Zelenskyy links halt in Russian refinery strikes to Patriot missile supplies

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Kyiv is willing to suspend attacks on Russian oil refineries at Washington's request if the United States supplies Patriot interceptor missiles to defend against Russian air attacks. He also outlined an alternative condition: an end to Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

Speaking to Fox News in an interview reported by European Pravda, Zelenskyy was asked why Ukraine had resumed strikes on Russian refineries despite US President Donald Trump's demands that it stop. He said the issue had been discussed in several conversations with Trump and members of his team.

Zelenskyy said he had explained during those talks that Ukraine needed to respond to large Russian attacks. He pointed to the killing of Ukrainians and strikes affecting electricity, gas, refineries and other energy facilities. His account placed Ukraine's attacks on Russian refineries in the context of those strikes, which he cited in explaining Kyiv's position to Washington.

The president described two proposals under which Ukraine would be prepared to halt its refinery attacks. One would require Russia to stop attacking the Ukrainian energy system. The other would involve American deliveries of missiles for Patriot air defence systems, allowing Ukraine to intercept incoming Russian attacks.

Zelenskyy stressed that the request for missiles was not limited to military aid. Ukraine was prepared to find the money and pay for the supplies, he said. He added that he had asked Washington to provide enough interceptors for at least a month, linking that request to a monthlong suspension of Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries.

Asked whether Trump could interpret the requests as pressure, Zelenskyy said he was not afraid to tell partners the truth. In his view, that meant making clear that “America can't help Russia, the president can't help Putin”.

The interview followed a renewed American demand to halt refinery strikes, according to reporting by Axios. The outlet said Trump's son-in-law and special envoy, Jared Kushner, pressed the issue during negotiations in Oslo on October 20 involving the leaders of Norway, Finland and Ukraine.

Earlier, on October 16, Zelenskyy said the United States had declined a compromise proposal that could have led Ukraine to stop attacking Russian oil refineries.