Washington: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday blamed the war in the Middle East and the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz for rising fuel prices, rejecting efforts in Washington to tie them to Ukraine, shortly before President Donald Trump announced an “energy ceasefire” between Kyiv and Moscow.
In an interview with ABC’s This Week, Zelensky was asked why Trump and billionaire Elon Musk were blaming him for the continuation of the war.
“Because these people can’t find a key how to stop Putin. Because it’s more difficult to stop Putin than to pressure others. Because it’s more simple to speak about the prices and connect it with Ukraine,” he said.
“They’re increasing because of the war in Middle East, of the blocking of Hormuz, because of these reasons. Everybody understands it,” Zelensky added.
Trump has accused Ukraine of driving up American diesel costs through its drone strikes on Russian refineries.
“He wants to make problems for our farmers, our ranchers with diesel fuel. He better damn well stop,” Trump said in a clip aired by CNN on Sunday.
In the ABC interview, Zelensky offered a reciprocal halt to strikes on energy infrastructure.
“We are ready for energy ceasefire, not to attack energy both sides,” he said.
“And if the Russians want us not attack their diesel, their refineries and et cetera, we are asking President Trump, give them signal, not attack energy infrastructure of Ukraine. It’s fair deal,” he added.
“Don’t attack us. Don’t kill our children. We will stop attack your diesel,” Zelensky said.
He said Russia had struck Ukraine’s electricity sector 196 times this week, and gas and oil facilities 20 times, and had killed 153 civilians.
Later on Sunday, Trump wrote on Truth Social: “Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed.”
Zelensky subsequently told Axios the announcement “was news for me”. There was no confirmation from Moscow.
Responding on ABC to Trump’s call for a new Ukrainian president, Zelensky proposed a pause for elections. “So please tell Putin, give us two months, 60 days off. Total ceasefire, 60 days, and we will organize elections,” he said.
(IANS)
