Attempt to stop attacks on energy sector: why the idea of a truce between Ukraine and Russia is stalled
22 January 21:28
Ukraine and the United States are discussing a possible proposal to Russia for a limited energy truce. The proposal involves stopping attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in exchange for Ukraine halting its strikes on Russian oil depots and tankers belonging to the so-called “shadow fleet” of the Russian Federation.
This was reported by the Financial Times, citing its own sources, noting that the prospects for such agreements currently appear slim, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
What format of negotiations is being discussed
According to a senior US official, a trilateral meeting involving Ukraine, the US, and Russia could take place on January 23-24 in Abu Dhabi. At the same time, the Office of the President of Ukraine emphasizes that the meeting has not yet been finalized — Kyiv and Washington are awaiting Moscow’s response.
The format of the negotiations, which, according to the Russian side, will be proposed by Vladimir Putin, resembles the scheme of the November consultations in Abu Dhabi: at that time, Ukrainian and Russian representatives communicated with US officials separately, without direct contact with each other.
What is the essence of the proposal
The US and Ukraine have discussed a limited ceasefire option, which provides for:
- Russia to cease attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure;
- on the part of Ukraine — a refusal to attack Russian oil refineries and tankers of the “shadow fleet.”
However, as the Financial Times notes, negotiations on this idea are not at an advanced stage.
Why Moscow may refuse
One of the newspaper’s sources indicates that Vladimir Putin is unlikely to agree to such a deal, as the Kremlin considers strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure to be an important lever of pressure on Kyiv. Massive attacks on Ukraine’s energy system remain one of the key instruments of Russian military strategy.
Doubts on the Ukrainian side
There is also skepticism about an energy truce in Kyiv. A senior Ukrainian official told the Financial Times that Ukraine is also hesitant because its program of using long-range strike drones has proven effective, particularly in damaging Russian oil and gas facilities and ships in the “shadow fleet.”
These attacks are seen as one of the few tools for exerting direct economic pressure on Russia.
Earlier , President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that trilateral talks involving Ukraine, the US, and Russia are planned in the United Arab Emirates in the near future .
