Ukraine ready for energy ceasefire, but Moscow must take reciprocal step – Ukraine’s delegation to OSCE
Ukraine is ready to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries if Russia stops attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Moscow must demonstrate a genuine willingness to de-escalate.
According to Censor.NET, Ukraine’s Permanent Representative to the International Organisations in Vienna, Yurii Vitrenko, said this during a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council, Ukrinform reports.
Vitrenko sets out condition for an energy ceasefire
According to the Ukrainian diplomat, Ukraine has repeatedly confirmed its readiness for various ceasefire arrangements. However, instead of taking steps towards peace, Russia continues to attack civilians and critical infrastructure.
"We are ready for a ceasefire. We are ready to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries provided that Russia stops attacking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. This is fair," Vitrenko stressed.
He said that Russia had carried out more than 200 strikes on electricity generation and transmission facilities in Ukraine over the past week alone. It also carried out 17 attacks on gas and oil infrastructure.
On October 14, Russian forces launched a massive strike on critical infrastructure in Kyiv and the Kyiv and Kharkiv regions, using 40 missiles. The attack damaged 30 energy facilities, including electricity and gas infrastructure. Around 600,000 people were left without electricity.
According to the State Emergency Service, 21 people were affected in Kyiv, three of whom were killed.
The diplomat also noted that Russia continued attacking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure even after US President Donald Trump announced an energy ceasefire initiative on October 11.
Ukraine calls for increased pressure on Russia
Vitrenko stressed that a ceasefire must involve reciprocal steps and reliable guarantees. He said Ukraine’s exercise of its right to self-defence cannot be regarded as an unwillingness to achieve peace.
"If Russia refuses to take reciprocal steps and continues to demonstrate complete disregard for peace efforts, there can be no meaningful progress towards a ceasefire," the Ukrainian diplomat said.
He emphasised that Russia’s refusal to halt attacks and engage substantively in the peace process remains the main obstacle to de-escalation.
According to Vitrenko, until Moscow takes concrete steps towards peace, Ukraine’s Defence Forces will continue defending the country and degrading the aggressor’s military capabilities.
The Ukrainian delegation also called on international partners to increase sanctions pressure on Russia and ensure accountability for strikes on civilians, energy facilities and merchant vessels in the Black Sea.
